Starlin Castro talks about assault allegations
MESA, Ariz. — Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro said he learned one thing from what he went through this winter.
“That you have to be careful because there are a lot of bad people in the world,” Castro said Friday as he met the media upon reporting to Cubs spring training.
Facing cameras and reporters, Castro spoke in English and did not use an interpreter as he talked about on-the-field and off-the-field matters.
Castro, who turns 22 next month, spent much of the winter fending off allegations of a sexual assault. No charges have been filed in a case that dates to the end of last September.
“I cooperated with the police,” Castro said. “And in talking about that, I don’t have a whole lot of stuff to say about that. I’m ready to play baseball and will practice very hard to win for this team and win games.”
Castro is the Cubs’ best young player and a key to the future success of the team.
He arrived for spring training looking more relaxed than he did at last month’s Cubs convention in Chicago, where he did not address the media or take part in many convention activities.
On the field, Castro led the National League in hits last season with 207 while batting .307 with 10 home runs.
“He’s so young,” said teammate Alfonso Soriano. “He didn’t make a mistake because he didn’t do anything wrong. I believe in him. He’s such a great guy and thinks that everybody is a friend with him. Now, with what happened to him, he has to be a little more careful.”
As far as his play goes, Castro said he’s working on things.
“My defense,” he said. “I’m working hard on my defense and running bases. I’m trying to steal more bases and focus more.”
Castro had most of his success batting leadoff last season, but he said he wants to bat third this year. The Cubs likely will go with right fielder David DeJesus as their leadoff man this season.
Soriano still here:Left fielder Alfonso Soriano arrived in camp and ready to work out. He#146;s in the sixth year of his eight-year, $136 million contract. #147;This is my No. 6, and every year, I see different faces,#148; Soriano said. #147;This year is a little bit different, a little bit more new faces. That group of guys, we have a lot of talent.#148;Soriano said the new management group did not approach him about being traded in the off-season. Soriano has a no-trade clause in his contract. #147;They have not said anything about a trade because I#146;m here,#148; he said. #147;I don#146;t want to think about if I#146;m going to get traded in the future or tomorrow or whatever. I got to concentrate on just playing baseball because I have a lot of things to do, and I#146;ve got to get ready with my legs, my swing, my defense. I don#146;t want to think about getting traded. If they have that in their minds, they want to talk to me first.#148;He also seemed to like the trade of temperamental pitcher Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins. Soriano had seen more than a few Zambrano outbursts during his time with the Cubs. #147;They made a pretty good move trading Z because I don#146;t know if he#146;s not happy or what here, but the things that he did here, nobody was happy.#148;Big first day:The Cubs took the practice fields just after 1 p.m. Friday and were out there until about 5. Manager Dale Sveum said his message was one of winning and not rebuilding.#147;You look around the team, I think the biggest question this winter was, #145;rebuilding, things are starting over,#146;#148; Sveum said. #147;You just let them know that#146;s a team that can go out and compete and do really well. We#146;re not here to rebuild. We#146;re to try and win the World Series this year.#148;