With just over 24 hours remaining before the deadline and information changing by the minute, the Cubs are aggressively trying to trade Starlin Castro.
According to a report from Jayson Stark, the Cubs are trying to include Starlin Castro in any deal. And Ken Rosenthal added that despite what Joe Maddon said to Castro during their meeting, Castro’s agent, Paul Kinzer has told his client “to remain prepared for anything.”
Carrie Muskat indicated that the Starlin Castro reports are just noise right now.
Starlin Castro is believed to be in the talks with the Padres for a starting pitcher. The Cubs are focused on RHP Tyson Ross and view RHP Ian Kennedy as a back-up option if the two teams cannot work out a deal for Ross.
The Cubs value Tyson Ross as a long term piece that can help the rotation going forward that can slide in the rotation behind Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta and Jason Hammel.
Updated 2:34pm CDT – According to Jim Bowden, the Cubs are talking to the Padres about a deal that would include RHP Tyson Ross and RHP Craig Kimbrel. The Cubs would send a package of players that would include Starlin Castro and Carl Edwards Jr. The Padres would prefer Javier Baez to be in the deal. The Cubs do not want to trade Baez and would rather Castro be included.
Phil Rogers reported that the talks between the Cubs and Padres could include 2B Jedd Gyorko coming back to the Cubs. Gyorko is owed $32 million over the next four seasons ($4 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017, $9 million in 2018 and $13 million in 2019) and his contract includes a $13 million club option for 2020 with a $1 million buyout.
Starlin Castro is owed the remainder of the seven-year, $60 million contract extension he signed in August 2012. Castro is due the rest of his $6 million salary for this season and $38 million guaranteed from 2016 through 2019 ($7 million in 2016; $9 million in 2017; $10 million in 2018; $11 million in 2019). Castro’s contract has a $16 million club option for 2020 that includes a $1 million buyout.
According to Bruce Levine’s sources, Starlin Castro is “a sought-after commodity on the trade market.” And the Padres “are one of several clubs that have kicked the tires on a deal with the Cubs involving many names.”
Stay Tuned …