The Miami Marlins and the New York Yankees made the biggest splash this offseason sending Marlins franchise player and 2017 NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees for Cash and Starlin Castro. Most people like to hear about how improved the Yankees are with the addition of Stanton and how the Marlins are now rebuilding saving their payroll, but no one is talking about Starlin. The 28 year old 2nd basemen still has a lot to offer after coming off of 2 solid seasons with the Yankees including being an All-Star last season. Starlin batted .300 last season with 16 home runs, 63 rbi's and career highs in SLG (.454) and OPS (.792) in only 112 games. If Starlin didn't get injured before the All-Star Game we would've seen him in the summer classic and would most likely had career highs in homers and rbi's last season. Also Castro's fielding has improved a lot with the transition from SS to 2nd base only comitting 11 errors last season and 12 erros in 2016 playing in 153 games. What Starlin brings to the table is a man that you can pencil in the lineup everyday with a solid bat, enough power from the position, veteran presence, NL experience, and a solid glove. Starlin has spent the majority of his career in the NL with the Cubs so the adjustments from leagues won't deflate his performance. The only problem with Castro can be his lack of effort and character. Joe Madden in 2015 told him he needs to put more effort in the field or he won't play for him and gave his position up to a younger more poised SS in Addison Russell. That gave Starlin the drive to perform at his usual success rate and did so with the remainder of his 2015 campaign and was shown off during his time with the Yankees. Starlin also was driven due to the fact that he's been on teams that have made playoff runs and had a winning atmosphere to the team which can excite any player to perform better. Also Castro has been apart of high market teams being with the Yankees and Cubs who every year brings in great attendance while Miami struggles to even break 10,000 people to attend there home games. Now being with the Marlins who are expecting to sell more key players and tank for seasons to come. This can affect Starlin's interest of playing and competing which will hurt the Marlins and most of all Starlin's image.Castro has already informed the organization that he does not intend or desire to be apart of their rebuild and would like to be traded as soon as possible, but will depend on what contenders are in need for a middle infielder. Also whatever team that pursue's him will have to accept that Castro has 2 years left of his contract earning $10 million this season and $11 million in 2019 with a 2020 club option. So if you acquire Castro then you're acquiring either you're starting 2nd basemen for the next 2 seasons, or to be another trading piece. Starlin's now entering his prime and has 7 years of service in the show with more power coming, and can play everyday at SS or 2nd. If he would like to be traded to a contender this season he needs to prove that he can perform under any circumstances and show off more of his versatility going back and forth with SS and 2nd with also maybe playing some games at 3rd base which would increase his value. I won't project what Starlin's stats will be as of now due to the fact that I think Miami can make or break his career, and would like to see him on a better team. With that being said I wish for the best for Starlin to not let this disappointment of a team affect his personal performance and hope to see him on a better team soon.
|
|