Well, Theo Epstein was busy today. Minutes after the report that the Cubs signed free agent Ben Zobrist, a report from Joel Sherman stated that the Cubs have agreed to trade middle infielder Starlin Castro to the Yankees. According the Sherman, the deal was contingent upon the Cubs successfully signing Zobrist. The teams later confirmed the trade, and the Yankees are taking on all of the four years and $38 million left on Castro’s contract.
#Cubs have acquired RHP Adam Warren and a player to be named from the Yankees for INF Starlin Castro. pic.twitter.com/InBjJfJoAm
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 9, 2015
Castro is (still!) only 25, but hasn’t quite played up to his seven-year, $60 million deal he signed in 2012. In 151 games in 2015, Castro posted a .265/.296/.375 triple slash and only boasted a 0.8 fWAR for the season. The Cubs apparently like Zobrist better even with his age (34) thanks to his power, defense, and versatility.
Castro was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cubs in 2006 and made his major league debut in 2010, playing 125 games and finishing fifth in the NL Rookie of the Year Award voting. While this return likely isn’t what the Cubs envisioned getting for Castro when he was a contender for Rookie of the Year, it says something for Epstein’s prowess as a GM considering how bad of a first half Castro has in 2015. He did play better in the second half and in the playoffs. Either way, barring Castro turning into Robinson Cano, the Cubs can probably sleep pretty well tonight following this deal and the signing of Zobrist.
Castro is expected to take over second base for the Yankees in 2016. The Yankees let Stephen Drew walk as a free agent this offseason and it’s expected that either Dustin Ackley or Rob Refsnyder (who would have platooned the position presumably) will be moved to make room for Castro. Of course, Didi Gregorius is the incumbent shortstop for the Yankees, therefore making Castro the second baseman, a position he played for 38 games in 2015.
While Warren isn’t a household name, he gives the Cubs what they need – another pitcher. It remains to be seen whether Warren will be starting or not, but odds out he’ll start in the bullpen. In 17 starts and 23 relief appearances for the Yankees in ’15, he posted a 3.29 ERA and 1.165 WHIP in 131.1 innings, striking out 104 and walking 39. The 28-year old was drafted in the 4th round of the 2009 Amateur Draft by the Yankees and in 147 appearances, he has a 3.39 ERA and an ERA+ of 116.
Brendan Ryan (expected to be the player to be named later) is a 33-year old journeyman who can provide solid defensive play in the middle of the field, but won’t provide much offense to speak up. If Ryan makes the club, expect Joe Maddon to bring him off the bench for defensive reasons or to provide some guys the occasional day off.
