Everyone Reacts to the Starlin Castro Trade Rumor and Other Bullets

June has arrived, and there will be no June Swoon for the Cubs, who got their swooning out of the way early this year.

  • Nothing gets the Internetz into more of a tizzy than a rumor that the Cubs are shopping Starlin Castro (well, maybe a rumor that they’re calling up Anthony Rizzo), and so it was yesterday when Bob Nightengale suggested that the Cubs have informed teams Castro could be had for a couple “impact” prospects. A number of local and national folks offered their responses to the rumor, and Theo Epstein offered one of his patented “denials” (the gist: Castro is a core player we’re building around, we want more Castros, not fewer). Gordon Wittenmyer cited a number of sources who told him the Cubs aren’t moving Castro. Danny Knobler cited a team who recently spoke to the Cubs and was told Castro is at the top of the list of players they won’t trade. Jon Heyman cites a Cubs source who tells him that the Cubs have never mentioned Castro’s name in trade talks (think about how artfully worded that denial is). Dave Kaplan says the Cubs should be shopping Castro as part of a reworking of the entire roster. ESPN’s duo of Bruce Levine and Doug Padilla do perhaps the best job of sussing out the nuanced truth that the Cubs may not be “trying” to trade Castro, but might “consider” trading him.
  • What can you glean from all of that, if you assume all reactions are true? Well, it’s exactly as I said yesterday: the Cubs aren’t affirmatively looking to move Castro. But they’ll listen, as any smart organization would. If some team wants to step up with an insane, can’t-turn-down offer? Well, the Cubs will stand ready to cross that bridge if they ever come to it.
  • Paul Sullivan offers his thoughts on when you might still want to pay attention to the Cubs, even if you’ve accepted that they’re going to be terrible the rest of the way.
  • Kerry Wood talks to Sarah Spain about his retirement.
  • So, my understanding is that the Illinois General Assembly’s final day of the Spring Session is today, and, if they don’t approve a funding plan for Wrigley Field, the time line of construction (hoping to break ground as soon as the season ends) could be delayed. That could have been a negotiating tactic by the Cubs, or it could be a legit concern. In any event, it’s been extremely quiet for the last week.
  • BN’er Myles dropped a great Baseball Prospectus article on us in the comments yesterday, and here it is, in case you missed it. It’s dense, but really impressive – the gist: if you’re going to take a high school player in the Draft, shoot for the younger ones.
  • Reminder: you can win a sweet pair of Chicago Cubs headphones from BiGR Audio if you enter by 3pm today. Details here.
  • BN’er SirCub drops some awesome on the Message Board about the luckiest fan to attend a game at Wrigley Field in recent memory. It’s a story in pictures.
  • The MLBullets at BCB note Matt Kemp’s once-again-injured hamstring.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    MLBits: Yanks to Slash Payroll, Coming Up on the “Worst” Draft Class, Bogaerts, Skenes, More

    Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner is crying broke, the Padres' depth will be tested without Xander Bogaerts for the foreseeable future, and Keith Law has some strong words for the 2024 MLB Draft class in today's MLB Notes. Hal Steinbrenner Says Current...

    Pre-Gamin’: Braves at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — For as rough as it has felt at times against the Braves this season, the Cubs still have a chance to split the season-series with a win this afternoon. And while the Cubs are rolling with a...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024: Horton’s Impressive Start Helps Iowa Down Indianapolis

    Cade Horton made his best start yet at Triple-A as the Iowa Cubs downed Indianapolis in 11 innings on Wednesday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs The Iowa...

    Steele is Feeling Really Good Overall, Offensive Lull, Pitcher Updates, and Other Cubs Bullets

    The Little Boy has a special ceremony at school today, so the schedule is a little atypical for me. Hopefully the Cubs beat the Braves, take the series, and that'll put a great cap on the day. The 7th inning...

    Cade Horton Continues to Improve at Triple-A Iowa, and His Latest Start Was His Best

    I'd forgotten that, in addition to the talent and experience difference in jumping from Double-A competition to Triple-A competition, there are a couple logistical changes for players. First, there is the automated balls and strikes system (fully automated half the...

    Kyle Hendricks Takes His Bullpen Demotion Like an Absolute Champ

    Is there a more model Major Leaguer or better example-setter than Kyle Hendricks? I really don't think so. Two days ago, the Cubs bounced the veteran right-hander from their starting rotation. It was a true demotion, as his general ineffectiveness...

    At Least Porter Hodge’s Debut Was Incredible

    There's not a whole lot you're gonna want to take away from last night's loss to the Atlanta Braves, outside of the first six innings from Justin Steele, which were actually pretty good (just pretend in your mind that he...

    Enhanced Box Score: Braves 9, Cubs 2 – May 22, 2024

    If you didn't actually watch this game, you might be worried about Justin Steele. After all, how can anyone have been anything other than "really bad" with five earned runs to their name? Well, I'm here to tell you he...

    Pre-Gamin’: Cubs vs Braves (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs won their opener against the Braves last night, which means they have a chance at a series win as soon as tonight! And if they manage to win this game, they'll also guarantee themselves...

    Adbert Alzolay Went for a Second Opinion on His Forearm Injury (UPDATE)

    [ankin_law] From a very happy post about the Chicago Cubs' bullpen to a more unhappy one. Adbert Alzolay, placed on the Injured List about 10 days ago because of a forearm issue, is now getting a second opinion from a...

    Latest News

    NFL Futures: Latest 2024 NFC Division Winner Odds and More

    As the NFL season approaches, fans and bettors alike are eagerly analyzing the latest Division Winner Odds. With each division presenting its own set of challenges and potential surprises, the race for the top spot is more thrilling than ever....

    Top Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 on May 23, 2024

    Jayson Tatum and Pascal Siakam are among the players with prop bets on the table when the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers meet at TD Garden on Thursday (tipping at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Celtics vs. PacersDate: Thursday,...

    MLBits: Yanks to Slash Payroll, Coming Up on the “Worst” Draft Class, Bogaerts, Skenes, More

    Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner is crying broke, the Padres' depth will be tested without Xander Bogaerts for the foreseeable future, and Keith Law has some strong words for the 2024 MLB Draft class in today's MLB Notes. Hal Steinbrenner Says Current...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024: Horton’s Impressive Start Helps Iowa Down Indianapolis

    Cade Horton made his best start yet at Triple-A as the Iowa Cubs downed Indianapolis in 11 innings on Wednesday. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report | May 23, 2024 Triple-A Iowa Cubs The Iowa...

    Charlotte Hornets Draft Picks: List of 2024 and Future Draft Selections

    It was another tough season for the Charlotte Hornets who finished 21-61 and missed the playoffs for the 8th consecutive year. Let's take a look at the team's 2024 NBA Draft picks, future selections, and more as they build to...

    Orioles vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, May 23, 2024

    The Baltimore Orioles (29-18) stumble into Thursday's matchup with the Chicago White Sox (15-35) looking to break a three-game losing streak. The contest starts at 7:40 PM ET on NBCS-CHI with the Orioles listed as -233 favorites to right the...

    Caleb Williams and Co. Head to the Southside, Claypool on His Time with Chicago, and Other Bears Bullets

    Not many things would make me want to attend a White Sox game again this season, but this Caleb Williams-inspired promo could be one of them. The White Sox are offering $18 outfield tickets for their game against the Baltimore...

    Pre-Gamin’: Braves at Cubs (1:20 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — For as rough as it has felt at times against the Braves this season, the Cubs still have a chance to split the season-series with a win this afternoon. And while the Cubs are rolling with a...

    Brooklyn Nets Draft Picks: List of 2024 and Future Draft Selections

    The Nets struggled to a 32-50 record this past season and missed the playoffs after reaching the postseason the previous 5 seasons. Let's look forward and check out the team's 2024 NBA Draft picks, future selections, and more. Brooklyn Nets...

    Celtics vs. Pacers: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics will meet the Indiana Pacers.Last time out, the Celtics bested the Pacers 133-128 in OT on Tuesday. In the Celtics' victory, Jayson Tatum put up 36 points (and added...

    more cubs news