Jon Heyman reported last Friday Starlin Castro had been placed on revocable trade waivers. Heyman’s report was not confirmed. And over the last seven days, news did not surface if Castro had been claimed, pulled back or passed through waivers.
According to Jon Heyman, as expected Starlin Castro cleared waivers.
The Cubs talked to teams prior to the deadline about Castro. The Padres are believed to have shown the most interest in the 25-year old infielder. After a very good start to the season (.325/.349/.410/.758 in April), Castro’s season started going south in May and he eventually lost his every day job. Castro has been better at the plate and in the field of late.
Over his last 21 games, Starlin Castro is batting .276/.300/.414 with six extra basehits and a .714 OPS. Castro had only 15 extra basehits in the first four months of the season.
Even if Castro had been claimed, it is believed the Cubs would have pulled him back. August is not the right time to try to maximize a player’s value, especially one having a poor season.
The Cubs are expected to revisit trade talks for Castro in the off-season. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will not give Castro away or sell low on a player in his mid-20’s that is 45 hits shy of 1,000 in the big leagues. And when Castro is producing, his contract is viewed as rather team friendly.
Starlin Castro has four years left on the seven-year extension he signed in August 2012. Castro is owed $38 million ($7 million in 2016; $9 million in 2017; $10 million in 2018; $11 million in 2019) and the contract includes a $16 million club option for 2020 that has a $1 million buyout.
Joe Maddon, John Mallee and the front office have talked publicly about how well Castro has handled his demotion and role change with the team. Castro has said all of the right things and his actions on the field have backed up the statements he’s made to the media. Castro would like to help the Cubs win games and he will be prepared to play when he’s in the lineup or called on off the bench.
For now, Maddon plans to start Castro against southpaws and use as a defensive replacement at second base on the days he does not start. Maddon has not ruled out Castro being his starting second baseman if he can put together at bats like he did Tuesday night.