A report surface on Friday that suggested the New York Yankees may have interest in Chicago Cubs second baseman Starlin Castro. The trade rumors surrounding Castro have persisted for over a year now, but could they come to an end soon?
The idea of trading Brett Gardner to Chicago in exchange for Castro was floated over the weekend, but how realistic is the scenario?
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News said that the Yankees could be a landing spot for Castro, but it won't be for Gardner.
"According to a source with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking, the team could still be interested in Castro, who would play second base in the Bronx."
"A source said if the Yankees are to trade Gardner, it would likely be for a starting pitcher."
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reasserted that notion in his Sunday Baseball Notes.
"Gardner could be available, according to a Yankees source, but it won't be for an infielder such as the Cubs' Starlin Castro, as was reported last week. The Yankees do need a second baseman, but any deal involving Gardner would have to net a starting pitcher."
Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago says that the Cubs may find their next center fielder by "either making a small trade or signing a free agent." He also noted Chicago has "scenarios where Castro sticks around next season as their primary second baseman."
But rumors are rumors and nothing can be taken at face value. Sure, the Cubs and Yankees may be looking to unload the contracts of Castro and Gardner, but it won't be an easy task. Castro's 2015 season (.265/.296/.375) was an enormous step backwards compared to his 2014 campaign and Gardner's second half of 2015 was nothing short of awful (.206/.300/.292).
Castro is owed nearly $40 million over the next four seasons and Gardner will make nearly $40 million over the next three seasons.
So why not swap these contracts? The Cubs need a center fielder/left fielder and the Yankees need a second baseman. Chicago has the infield depth to absorb the loss of Castro and the Yankees have enough outfield depth to let Gardner go. Additionally, Gardner would give the Cubs a leadoff man they will likely lose in Dexter Fowler while Castro would provide the Yankees with solid all-around credentials at second base, which they've lacked ever since Robinson Cano departed.
The free agent market is not plentiful in terms of cost-effective second basemen and outfielders, so this could be the best possible option for both teams as they look to address voids on their roster with the Winter Meetings rapidly approaching.
Both clubs are looking to be financially prudent being that Chicago is well prepared for the future and New York has a bunch of onerous contracts coming off the books after 2016. However, both might be wishful in their thinking that Castro or Gardner would provide them a return where they'd be getting a cheaper, more valuable player.
The Cubs are hoping to sign a top free agent starting pitcher this offseason, which will significantly add to their payroll that's expected to reach $122 million in 2016, according to Baseball-Reference. They're also looking to sign Jake Arrieta to a long-term deal. With that being said, they'll have a decent amount of money come off the payroll in 2017, when Jason Hammel, David Ross, Clayton Richard, Chris Coghlan and Travis Wood hit free agency. It won't be a lot, but it's certainly enough to cover Gardner's average annual salary.
As for New York, the potential middle infield duo of Castro and Didi Gregorius could be something favorable for years to come.
Both front offices of these organizations are certainly open-minded, so don't be surprised if they work out a deal involving these two players, especially if all of their other options on the trade market don't come to fruition.
