UPDATE: The Yankees have announced the trade.
#Yankees acquire INF Starlin Castro from @Cubs in exchange for Adam Warren and a PTBN. pic.twitter.com/J0NRwFQYws
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 9, 2015
#Yankees are not announcing Ryan to #Cubs until after Rule 5 draft so that Chi does not have to fill another spot on 40-man roster.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2015
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UPDATE: Castro has reportedly been traded to the Yankees. New York will send pitcher Adam Warren and infielder Brendan Ryan to Chicago.
Told that Castro to #Yankees has been agreed upon, but not finalized. Still medical review, etc. #Cubs
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2015
From what could tell Castro to #Yankees was contingent on #Cubs getting Zobrist. Once A happened, B is following close behind. Not final yet
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2015
Adam Warren and brendan Ryan go to cubs in Castro deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 9, 2015
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The trade winds are beginning to blow a bit harder at the MLB Winter Meetings. The Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are reportedly discussing "multiple scenarios" and rumors suggest Starlin Castro is a big part of those talks.
In case you don't recall, the Cubs and Yankees previously discussed a trade that would involve swapping Castro and Gardner, as rumors suggested last month. However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post says Gardner is not part of the discussions this time around.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal was the first to report the trade talks between these two clubs today. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says the talks are in the "early stages."
The Cubs are looking for cost-controlled starting pitching and outfielders. The Yankees don't have the former, but they do have young left-handed hitting center fielders Mason Williams and Slade Heathcott, as Sherman mentioned as well. Chicago is expected to lose center fielder Dexter Fowler in free agency, so they've been attempting to address that void in a cost-effective manner. (Hint: they're not considering acquiring Jacoby Ellsbury.)
However, they've been linked to free agent outfielder Jason Heyward, so perhaps they look to add a cheap center fielder before making such a significant signing.
Sherman
For what it’s worth #Cubs have been curious about Adam Warren. Think #Yankees value Warren highly for versatility/skill/low salary
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015 ">just added that the Cubs are "curious" about pitcher Adam Warren, who the Yankees used as a starter and reliever this past season (he was moved back to the bullpen when a number of starters returned from injury). Trade rumors linked the Cubs to Warren before this year's non-waiver deadline.
As for the Yankees, they're in desperate need of a second baseman, and Castro's transition to the position from shortstop last year has increased his value. The 25-year-old endured a disastrous first half to the 2015 season, but then picked up his offense and was moved over to second due to the emergence of rookie Addison Russell. He batted .295/.319/.464 with 24 runs scored, 6 home runs and 31 RBI during the second half.
#Yankees would use Castro at 2b/protection at SS. Season changed in mid-Aug when became full-time 2b: .575 OPS b4/.961 after. Plus better D
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 8, 2015
Chicago is also reportedly in talks with the Tampa Bay Rays about acquiring a starting pitcher and perhaps a reliever. Javier Baez is the other Cub being dangled in those discussions, but it's believed Chicago only trades either Baez or Castrol because the team needs someone to play second base. Baez, the cheaper and more athletic/versatile option, would probably be the one that stays if the talks with the Yankees progress more quickly than those with the Rays.
Stay tuned for updates as the two teams could make progress into the night.
