The Chicago Cubs swept the San Francisco Giants this weekend and won nine of their last 10 games to regain control of the second NL wild-card spot. As they prepare to contend for the foreseeable future, it appears as if Starlin Castro might not be in their plans while some of the MLB's top pitchers are in their crosshairs.
Castro was benched for three games during the team's series with the Giants and rookie Addison Russell took over at shortstop, which spurred rumors about Castro's eventual departure from the Cubs' organization. Reports suggested Castro would approach the front office if he were asked to play another position, as manager Joe Maddon said such discussions were taking place.
Maddon said today on 670 The Score with Bruce Levine that Castro will start getting some practice at second and third base.
Well, Castro is not in the lineup again tonight as the Cubs open up a three-game series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers and it's not looking good for the 25-year-old, who is having the worst offensive season of his MLB career.
Will be shocked if Starlin Castro is a Cub by Opening Day 2016. Benched for 3 games over the weekend -- all Chicago victories.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 11, 2015
"This could be the beginning of the end of Castro's time in the Windy City, though it's more likely he would be traded this winter than immediately, considering the complications of August waiver deals and the fact that his value may be at its nadir," writes Jay Jaffe of Sports Illustrated.
While Castro's tenure in Chicago could be over in a few short months, one of the premiere starting pitching free agents could be a Cub once the season ends. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports talked about the team's potential offseason plans following this year's trade deadline.
"It's understandable why the Cubs ultimately didn't part with their prospect stash for a young starter such as Ross or Carrasco, as the Cubs may be a year away. Folks are convinced Chicago will get one of the great free-agent starters. [David] Price will be their top target, but Zack Greinke, Jordan Zimmermann and [Johnny] Cueto could be in play for them as well."
With Jon Lester rebounding after his slow start to the 2015 season and Jake Arrieta further establishing himself as a force in the starting rotation, the addition of a top starter could propel the Cubs into the World Series discussion after this year, even in a division with the St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Price is expected to hit free agency after he finishes out the season with the Toronto Blue Jays; Greinke is expected to opt out of his deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers; Jordan Zimmermann is more than likely to hit the open market after rejecting contract extension offers from the Washington Nationals; and the Kansas City Royals probably wont be able to afford Cueto, who is seeking a $200 million contract.
The Cubs will have the financial resources to add a high-price free agent - it's just a matter of who they can lure to the Windy City.
