The Yankees said they were ready to go with Dustin Ackley
and Rob Refsyder at 2nd Base.
Then Brian Cashman acquired Starlin Castro from the Cubs
for pitcher Adam Warren and a player to be named later
which will be utility infielder Brendan Ryan … after Thursdays
Rule 5 draft.
Let’s drill down and take a look at this trade from all angles
3 UP :
- Starlin is a three time All Star with a lifetime .281 BA
- Castro is a young player (turns 26 in March) with manageable contract 4 years / $38M
- After moving to 2nd Base in August, he looked comfortable, both offensively and defensively
3 DOWN :
- Castro was a liability defensively at Shortstop
- He was benched and lost his SS job because of lack of Offense & overall focus
- Some in the Cubs organization feel his lack of focus is ADD /ADHD related
That really is a mixed bag.
The good news is that the Yankees have traded for a righty bat (which
going back to last year I pointed out they desperately needed) to balance out
the line up. Castro really played well after being moved to 2nd Base.
He batted .353 / .373 / .588 , a very impressive slash line in his last 47 games.
He also is the type of righty batter that will benefit from hitting at Yankee Stadium
because he can hit to the opposite field ( his first career Homer was to RF)
and take advantage of the short porch.
Just as importantly he played much better defensively at 2nd Base
I will miss Adam Warren. He excelled in every role the Yankees put
him in. From starter, to long & short relief, Adam was the Yankees
most versatile pitcher, and I predict he will be a strong contributor to the Cubs
staff wherever they use him.
Having said that, I am glad the Yanks did not trade Brett Gardner or heaven forbid
Andrew Miller to make this deal happen.
My gut says the Yankees will definitely make a trade for a young starter (which
I firmly believe they should) and still have Gardner available as a key trade chip
to get it done (don’t trade Miller unless you’re bringing back an Ace)
BOTTOM LINE :
3 important questions remain to be answered
- Can Castro play a solid 2nd Base defensively ??
- Can he avoid mental lapses and moments of lost focus ??
- (most importantly : ) What will John Sterling HR call be ??
My suggestion …
It is high .. It is far … It is gone
Home Run .. Starlin Castro
That ball was …. STAR ‘ STRUCK !!!
As always,
GO NYY
