The Starlin Castro Thing

Yeah, the Cubs said today that everyone outside of Jeff Samardzija is available for trade; including Starlin Castro. Theo Epstein countered that by saying that he's actually not available. This whole thing is getting confusing.

What I was going to write before Epstein made those statements was this:

Sure, the Cubs said that - but it doesn't mean it's really true. The fact is that if some team is going to offer you a ridiculous haul for a player, you're going to think about it - regardless. By saying that Castro was somewhat available, they opened a door for maybe getting a jackpot of a deal that no team would turn down. If some team offers you their two top prospects (like the Pirates offering Cole and Taillon), some would argue that the Cubs would be silly to not seriously consider the deal. Others would say that Castro is immovable, being a 22 year old stud shortstop already - why give up a sure thing for a question mark. I understand both schools of thought. The Cubs are in a rough spot and they are doing the right thing by dangling him out there just to see if they can get a monster return.

Like yeah, you love that 50 inch plasma screen in your basement, and you don't want to get rid of it. But why not put an offer on Craigslist out there to trade it for a similar TV and a sick mini fridge to go with it? Chances are no one is going to give you the deal, but you aren't hurting yourself by asking it. I myself have put my own autograph on EBay and asked $50 for it. No one in there right mind is going to do that, but it didn't cost me to post it, so it's a win/win situation right?

That said, I don't think the Cubs would take anything less from the Pirates then both Cole and Taillon. They understand what they have in Castro, and it's a great piece to build around.

Epstein says nobody is entirely untouchable, but they would have to be completely blown away to even think about moving Castro. That sounds about right. It's the same way with the Pirates and Andrew McCutchen. They are in no way even thinking about trading him - but if the Angels offered us Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo for him, you'd certainly have to think about doing it.

If Castro was available, I would absolutely give up any two prospects in the system for him, providing ONE of them isn't Cole or Taillon. I wouldn't give up both, but I would give up one of them and then any other player in the minor league system. The Cubs would never take that deal though, so it's irrelevant.

The Pirates need to find a shortstop for the future at some point - and it's not going to be Starlin Castro.