Chicago Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry admitted what everybody already knew: super prospect Starlin Castro is going to join the big club at some point this year.
“He’s coming along very well,” Hendry said on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000. “[Assistant GM] Randy Bush just visited the Double-A club for about five games, and we certainly feel he’s going to be a very, very good player for a long time.
“He’s swinging the bat well and working on all the nuances that will make him successful when he gets here. I don’t have any doubts you’ll see him in Chicago this season, but to put an exact date on it would be foolish.”
Hendry said he’s talked to current shortstop Ryan Theriot about changing positions when Castro is ready.
“Ryan and I had some good, honest chats that the day may come when Castro arrives that he’ll have to move off short,” Hendry said. “And I think Ryan was receptive to that.
“You just want to give him enough notice to help him get ready for that when that day comes. Ryan is capable of being a .300 hitter and a very good infielder when he does move.” ESPN Chicago.
As I’ve said before, the move is likely to be dictated less by Castro’s performance and more by (1) the performance of the Cubs’ second basemen, and (2) ensuring that Castro’s arbitration clock doesn’t start ticking too soon.