Tag Archive for: Starlin Castro

Should Marlins Consider Starlin Castro?

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Starlin Castro had a really rough start to the 2019 season and May was by far his worst month. In May he hit for a .208 average with no home runs and 8 RBIs. He performed way below expectations for a veteran who is known for hitting ability.

Castro struggled in the first half of the season, batting for a .245 average with six home runs and 24 RBIs. His poor performance in the first half made it pretty much impossible to trade him at the deadline and if the Marlins did find a suitor for Starlin, they most likely wouldn’t have gotten much in return.

In the second half, Castro reached a new level. He hit for a .302 average, hammered 16 home runs, and drove in 52 RBIs. I know it would’ve been nice to have been able to trade Castro at/before the deadline for prospects but he became really fun to watch in the second half. He went on an absolute tear. Whether you like Castro or not, you can’t deny that he actually reached another level.

There are some people on twitter who believe that Starlin Castro purposely tanked his stats in the first half to stay with the Marlins. He ended up having a very good relationship with Miguel Rojas and Martin Prado and possibly felt like he didn’t want to be traded away from his closest friends on the team so it is a possibility. Do I think that’s the case? No, but it’s possible.

Starlin Castro finished his final year of his 7-year, $60 million dollar contract which he signed back in 2012 when he was with the Chicago Cubs, but there is a club option for him to return to the Marlins if they want him back. The option would cost the Marlins $16 million but there is definitely value in Castro. A veteran presence in the clubhouse and a mentor for Marlins rookie Isan Diaz. Castro could play second, shortstop and third so there is some versatility that comes with him.

If the Marlins do want to bring him back but don’t want to pay him $16 million, there is a $1 million buyout and they could potentially negotiate a cheaper deal. I do believe Castro has bought into what the Marlins are building and that he wants to stay in Miami. He is represented by Magnus Media, who is based in Miami, and also represents the Mesa brothers who signed with the Marlins last October.

In my opinion, I do think that the Marlins should consider bringing back Castro on a cheaper/team friendly contact. He could be more valuable than simply on the field by being a mentor and by possibly recruiting players in the free agent class this offseason.

Starlin Castro comes through for Marlins

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Starlin Castro came through in the clutch with a two-run double off Aaron Nola in the bottom of the sixth to give the Miami Marlins a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday.

Castro was set up by shortstop Jon Berti, who got the Marlins on the board with a base hit, driving in catcher Bryan Holaday, who reached on his lone hit of the day. The third baseman is batting .322 with five home runs and 22 RBI through the month of August.

Elieser Hernandez gave the Marlins their first quality performance from a starting pitcher in the weekend series. The 24-year-old gave up only three hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings. His lone blemish came from a two-run home runs by Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins in the top of the sixth inning. After the Marlins gave up 10 walks in each of the last two games, Hernandez didn’t allow a single walk.

“That’s the goal,” Hernandez said. “That’s what we work for.”

Starlin Castro and the meerting before the game

“We had a meeting before the game,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said, “and said, `Let’s throw the ball over the plate. It’s got to start there. You can’t defend the walk. Let’s get it in the strike zone, and don’t be afraid if they hit it. Every one is not going to be a home run.”

Ryne Stanek, who was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, gave up a leadoff walk but retired the side for his first career save. The game last 2 hours, 38 minutes, which is a big contrast to the first two games of the series, which each lasted more than 3 1/2 hours.

“Super efficient,” Stanek said. “I didn’t realize how fast the game was moving until I looked up and it was the fifth inning and they both had like 55 pitches.”

The last place Marlins are 9-7 against the Phillies, who are within two games from the wildcard.

Pablo Lopez to return Monday

Marlins manager Don Mattingly announced before the game that staring pitcher Pablo López is returning from the injured list to make his first start since June 15 on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. He has been out with a right shoulder strain.

“We’re going to fit him in tomorrow, and that way it gives everybody an extra day,” Mattingly said. “He’s ready to go. We were happy with his last outing.”

The move will push Caleb Smith to Tuesday and Sandy Alcantara to Wednesday. Lopez is 5-5 with a 4.23 ERA in 15 starts.

“It feels like forever since I’ve been on this mound,” Lopez said. “I’m really excited. I’ve been working on some things.”

The Marlins never transferred Lopez from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL, which means his status does not impact the 40-man roster, which currently is at 39. It’s unclear what move will be made to make room for Lopez. The Marlins optioned reliever Tyler Kinley to Triple-A New Orleans to bring up Kyle Keller.

“This move is all about having to have pitching today,” Mattingly said.

Starlin Castro se siente cómodo en el lado izquierdo del infield

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Starlin Castro estuvo en el centro de los rumores los dos últimos meses de campaña antes de la fecha límite de cambios en las Grandes Ligas.

El infielder dominicano era una de las piezas de valor que los Marlins pretendían cambiar para recibir algo a cambio, pues su contrato termina esta temporada (su contrato tiene una opción que el equipo puede ejercer).

Para Castro, los primeros días fueron algo incómodo, y hasta confesó que juega beisbol sin usar una copa (protector de los genitales).

Sin embargo, ahora todo es mas llevadero. Gran parte de esa sensación de confort es gracias al venezolano Martin Prado, quien lo ha ayudado a adaptarse a su nueva posición.

Prado, quien se ganó su estancia en Grandes Ligas gracias a su versatilidad, es el mejor aliado de Castro, quien ya ha jugado shortstop antes en su carrera.

Son casos diferentes, pues Prado llegó a establecerse como tercera base de Miami, mientras que Castro está luchando para mantenerse en Grandes Ligas aprendiendo a lidiar con los roletazos desde un ángulo diferente.

“En segunda base tienes mas tiempo, y el terreno es mas amplio. Además, el tiro que se tiene que hacer es mas largo. Tienes que estar mas ready”, dice Castro, quien a pesar de tener que lidiar con este cambio, viene de su mejor mes con el madero.

Starlin Castro y sus mejores meses como Marlin

Starlin Castro se encendió justo antes del Juego de Estrellas en Cleveland, y ha mantenido su gran ritmo ofensivo en este último mes de campaña, bateando .322 (AVG), .341 (OBP), con 5 jonrones y 20 carreras impulsadas en sus últimos 30 juegos.

Aún así, los Marlins no lograron llegar a un acuerdo con ningún equipo para que se hiciera con los servicios del dominicano.

¿Qué podemos esperar para él ahora?

De no ejercer la opción que tiene el equipo, no se extrañen si los propios Marlins lo contratan con condiciones diferentes, para tenerlo como uno de los veteranos del equipo en el clubhouse, y que juegue en el infield unas dos o tres veces por semana.

En estos momentos, los Marlins no tienen un pelotero así.

 

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