Castro's likely to stay a Chicago Cub
There's a reason they call it "the silly season."
As the July 31 nonwaiver deadline approaches, nerves fray, everybody is on edge and every managerial move is seen to have hidden meaning.
And that's just among baseball fans.
It can be the same for players, too.
Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro sought out manager Joe Maddon Tuesday for a late-night summit meeting after Maddon removed Castro from the Cubs' 7-2 loss as part of a lineup double switch.
Even though Castro has endured a terrible year, with a hitting line of .237/.271/.305, he wants to play every day. Maddon told him he was getting a day off Wednesday and not to worry about the trade rumors swirling about Castro's name. "I just asked him, 'Why did you take me out of the game?'" Castro said while sitting in the dugout with reporters before Wednesday's 3-2 Cubs victory. "He said, 'It's nothing serious. We wanted to put (Chris) Coghlan in the game.' I didn't want the day off, and he told me, 'Take it, relax, we want you here, you're not going nowhere.'
"It feels weird because it never happened to me before. We got a great relationship. He's on my side. He's on my side all the time. I appreciate that."
Castro also was double switched out of Sunday's series finale with the Phillies. As for Wednesday, Maddon gave right fielder Jorge Soler the day off in addition to Castro.
"This kid's been a Cub," Maddon said of Castro, who came to the big leagues in 2010 with the Cubs. "He's made his mark here. He's been an all-star here. He's got 1,000 hits here, almost. He's 25. I think people fail to remember that he's really young. To process this whole thing is not easy. We think it is, but it's not. You're caught up in the moment.
"I really like this kid a lot. I think he's outstanding. I told him, 'Listen, you're not going to be traded. Just relax and play. Don't worry about this stuff.'"
In other words, Castro is safe at the only home he's ever known, at least for now.
Truth be told, his numbers are such that the Cubs probably would not get much in return for a player who has been a three-time all-star. In a perfect world, Castro would have played better and the Cubs might have been able to dangle him in hopes of getting the starting pitcher they so desperately need if they're going to stay in contention for a wild-card spot.
That way, they could move Addison Russell from second base to shortstop full time and hope that Javier Baez continues to hit well at Class AAA Iowa as he recovers from a broken finger.
But with the marketplace apparently dry, Castro is likely to stay for the short term at least. All the while, he said the trade talk can weigh on a player.
"It's difficult sometimes," he said. "I'm not supposed to be thinking about this. Sometimes, when you're not doing good, those types of rumors run in my mind. It's not supposed to, but I feel free to go talk to him. I said the season's not over yet. I've just got to put my head down and keep working hard to help my teammates. I want to be here. I want to stay here."
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Cubs scouting report
Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park
TV: Comcast SportsNet today; WGN Friday; ABC 7 Saturday and Sunday
Radio: WBBM 780-AM
Pitching matchups: The Cubs' Jake Arrieta (11-6) vs. Jimmy Nelson (8-9) today at 7:10 p.m.; Jason Hammel (5-5) vs. Taylor Jungman (5-2) Friday at 7:10 p.m.; Kyle Hendricks (4-5) vs. Matt Garza (5-11) Saturday at 6:10 p.m.; TBD vs. Kyle Lohse (5-12) Sunday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The Brewers are last in the National League Central, but they've played better in the second half. The Cubs also have had trouble with the Brewers, going 2-4 against them. Gerardo Parra entered Wednesday's game at San Francisco with a line of .322/.363/.514 for the Brewers. Ryan Braun led the team with 18 home runs and 61 RBI. The Cubs have been in 40 games decided by 1 run, the most in the major leagues. They are 23-17 in those games.
Next: Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, Monday-Wednesday
- Bruce Miles