Re: Starlin Castro making decision tough on Chicago Cubs

[Guest]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0312-bits-cubs-chicago-spring-trai20100311,0,4819416.story

 

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Cubs insist Starlin Castro needs to start the season at Triple-A Iowa to get the experience necessary to become an everyday player.

 

But Castro's bat is saying otherwise.

 

The 19-year-old rookie, who will celebrate his 20th birthday March 24, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs Thursday in an 8-7 victory over the Padres.

 

Castro is hitting .571 for the spring and looking like he's determined to make the decision-making process difficult for the Cubs.

 

Manager Lou Piniella continues to insist Ryan Theriot is his shortstop and he's not interested in moving him to second to make room for Castro at short.

 

Prospects headed to the minors typically get sent to minor league camp midway through Cactus League games. Will the Cubs give Castro a longer look?

 

"That's going to be up to (general manager) Jim Hendry and (assistant GM Randy Bush)," Piniella said. "Unless the kid is going to start here, their preference in the past has been to send these kids out to get them familiar with where they are going to play."

 

But few Cubs prospects have performed as well as Castro has early in the games. When he smacked a first-pitch home run to left in the fifth inning, Piniella looked at bench coach Alan Trammell with a wild-eyed grin on his face.

[17 Seconds]

so paul sullivan thinks castro's good half week might make him make the team?

[biittner77]

so paul sullivan thinks castro's good half week might make him make the team?

 

Next week he'll run the same column but will autocorrect Starlin Castro to Tyler Colvin. Or did he already do that in reverse?

[ScrubMD]

I say just give him the starting job. He's adjusted very quickly to every level. Even if he struggles, I don't have much faith in this year's team anyway.

[Guest]

I don't have much faith in this year's team anyway.

Now there's a good reason for Hendry to give up this year already.

[Sammys Boombox]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0312-bits-cubs-chicago-spring-trai20100311,0,4819416.story

 

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Cubs...

 

The 19-year-old rookie, who will celebrate his 20th birthday March 24, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs Thursday in an 8-7 victory over the Padres...

 

 

Isn't that kind of insinuating that he will be on the team this year? You're not a rookie if you're still in the minors.

[Guest]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0312-bits-cubs-chicago-spring-trai20100311,0,4819416.story

 

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Cubs...

 

The 19-year-old rookie, who will celebrate his 20th birthday March 24, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs Thursday in an 8-7 victory over the Padres...

 

 

Isn't that kind of insinuating that he will be on the team this year? You're not a rookie if you're still in the minors.

He's currently playing with the big league team and hasn't exhausted his rookie eligibility. Therefore, he's a rookie. He gets sent back down and he's a prospect again.

[Sammys Boombox]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0312-bits-cubs-chicago-spring-trai20100311,0,4819416.story

 

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Cubs...

 

The 19-year-old rookie, who will celebrate his 20th birthday March 24, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs Thursday in an 8-7 victory over the Padres...

 

 

Isn't that kind of insinuating that he will be on the team this year? You're not a rookie if you're still in the minors.

He's currently playing with the big league team and hasn't exhausted his rookie eligibility. Therefore, he's a rookie. He gets sent back down and he's a prospect again.

 

Even is ST? I'm not arguing, I just didn't know that a player is technically a rookie while he's playing with the MLB club in ST.

[CUBZ99]

If Castro were being blocked by Theriot, I would be more in favor of sending him down to AAA. But if he made the team, I wouldn't lose any sleep over the Fontenot/Baker tandem getting less playing time.

 

The exciting thing about Castro so far, is that he seems to thrive off of a challenge. Every level he goes to he seems to get better.

[ScrubMD]

I don't have much faith in this year's team anyway.

Now there's a good reason for Hendry to give up this year already.

 

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

[Guest]

I don't have much faith in this year's team anyway.

Now there's a good reason for Hendry to give up this year already.

 

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

You implied that the Cubs should go ahead and put Castro on the team since you didn't have much faith they can win, anyway. I thought that was ridiculous enough to be pointed out this morning.

[ScrubMD]

I don't have much faith in this year's team anyway.

Now there's a good reason for Hendry to give up this year already.

 

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

You implied that the Cubs should go ahead and put Castro on the team since you didn't have much faith they can win, anyway. I thought that was ridiculous enough to be pointed out this morning.

 

I didn't say they should based on my opinion. My opinion is that it would be a good thing. Why does this upset you?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

 

Oh ye gods. I know the Castro boner grows daily, but the guy barely outhit Theriot last year while in A-ball and Theriot was in the majors.

 

I hates me some Riot as much as any good stathead Cubs fan, but come on.

[ScrubMD]

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

 

Oh ye gods. I know the Castro boner grows daily, but the guy barely outhit Theriot last year while in A-ball and Theriot was in the majors.

 

I hates me some Riot as much as any good stathead Cubs fan, but come on.

 

Potential is the key word there. This year's team doesn't really excite me. Castro on the team would add some interest. I'm not really thinking out statistical strategies here, I'm just throwing out what I'd like to see.

[Roast]

I don't have much faith in this year's team anyway.

Now there's a good reason for Hendry to give up this year already.

 

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

You implied that the Cubs should go ahead and put Castro on the team since you didn't have much faith they can win, anyway. I thought that was ridiculous enough to be pointed out this morning.

 

I didn't say they should based on my opinion. My opinion is that it would be a good thing. Why does this upset you?

Upset him? You have a pretty liberal definition of being "upset"

[abuck1220]

Replacing Theriot with someone with better defense and the potential to be a better hitter is giving up on the year?

 

Oh ye gods. I know the Castro boner grows daily, but the guy barely outhit Theriot last year while in A-ball and Theriot was in the majors.

 

I hates me some Riot as much as any good stathead Cubs fan, but come on.

 

Potential is the key word there. This year's team doesn't really excite me. Castro on the team would add some interest. I'm not really thinking out statistical strategies here, I'm just throwing out what I'd like to see.

 

well, whatever the cubs can do to keep you from being bored...

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If it was all about keeping me from getting bored, I have some wonderful ideas for the Cubs infield.

[sneakypower]

keep him down until at least June and get an extra year of cheap Castro

[dew1679666265]

keep him down until at least June and get an extra year of cheap Castro

 

This is the thinking I'd use. And only would I consider calling up Castro if he's absolutely tearing up AAA pitching and Theriot is struggling.

 

You don't want to rush a prospect with the potential Starlin has.

[David]

keep him down until at least June and get an extra year of cheap Castro

 

This is the thinking I'd use. And only would I consider calling up Castro if he's absolutely tearing up AAA pitching and Theriot is struggling.

 

You don't want to rush a prospect with the potential Starlin has.

 

 

More like Baker/Fontenot, but otherwise, I agree.

[jersey cubs fan]

keep him down until at least June and get an extra year of cheap Castro

 

This is the thinking I'd use. And only would I consider calling up Castro if he's absolutely tearing up AAA pitching and Theriot is struggling.

 

You don't want to rush a prospect with the potential Starlin has.

 

It has nothing to do with giving up on the season or anything like that, it's all about what you guys note here, no need to rush, and keep him affordable for longer.

[dew1679666265]

keep him down until at least June and get an extra year of cheap Castro

 

This is the thinking I'd use. And only would I consider calling up Castro if he's absolutely tearing up AAA pitching and Theriot is struggling.

 

You don't want to rush a prospect with the potential Starlin has.

 

 

More like Baker/Fontenot, but otherwise, I agree.

 

Good point.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Baker's the real deal, man

[Guest]

If Castro was beyond ready come June, I could see a platoon of Fontenot and Theriot at 2nd, a platoon of Fukudome/Baker in RF and Castro at SS. To bring Castro up would require someone else be sent down or cut. Isn't Fuld out of options?

[hardcorecubfan]

Is castro a "five tool guy" if he is bring him up!!! :roll: