Lukewarm Stove: Castro’s Trade Value, Feldman’s Skill, the Rangers’ Needs, and the Brewers’ Plans

Jun 03, 2013

stove It figures to be a quiet trade rumor week with the Draft on tap, but you never know: a team could try and swing a last minute deal involving a competitive balance draft pick.

Jon Heyman was on the radio this morning with Mully and Hanley on the Score, and, among other things, Heyman discussed Starlin Castro’s struggles and whether the Cubs would bail on him and seek a trade. Heyman didn’t think it was very likely, but he does believe that Castro does still have very large trade value because of the age, projectable talent, and the team-friendly contract. Even if the Cubs signaled to the world that they simply wanted to move on and dump him, Heyman believes they’d get plenty in return. I’d agree with Heyman, though, that it seems really premature to be talking about dumping a 23-year-old shortstop with above-average defensive upside and well above-average offensive upside, who happens to be signed through his prime on a team-friendly contract. No, his approach at the plate right now does not comport with the front office’s philosophy, but it’s being worked on. Let’s give it more than a season, spread over two years, to take hold. How much time would you give a top prospect to make serious changes to his approach at the plate if he had the kind of natural talent Castro has?

So, what’s “plenty” in return for Castro? Heyman didn’t elaborate (he didn’t feel the need, since, again, this is not likely to happen), but I don’t think you’d see the Cubs even consider considering a Castro deal that didn’t involve – as a start – a top 25 prospect and a top young, ML-ready pitcher. I’m sure they’d want more on top of that, and Castro’s value would justify that. Getting any more specific than that is a foolish exercise, because this is all wildly speculative to begin with. But folks are frustrated with Castro, and everyone wants to talk about trading him, however reactionary that might be …

Bruce Levine spoke to an AL scout about Scott Feldman last week, and the scout had some complimentary things to say. “He is one of those pitchers that you don’t get that excited about unless you watch him over a period of starts,” the scout told Levine. “He has really commanded his pitches this season and you see the confidence and consistent outings from him.” Obviously Feldman’s results this year have been excellent, and it is useful to know what scouts think when we’re calculating trade value (if it comes to that). Levine’s piece also has some thoughts from Feldman on that subject.

The Rangers have long been thought to be counting on a solid mid-season return from starter Colby Lewis to bolster a rotation that is already without Matt Harrison (who is not expected to return until August at the earliest after back surgery), and had been missing Alexei Ogando for the last few weeks with biceps tendonitis. Lewis, who is coming back from elbow surgery, recently had a “muscular” setback in his rehab, and has been shut down for a couple weeks. It’s fair to wonder whether the Rangers will start to get an itchy trigger finger to pick up a starter like Matt Garza (whom they almost acquired last year) or maybe a familiar face like Feldman.

Interesting: the Brewers acquired third baseman Juan Francisco, recently DFA’d by the Braves, in exchange for a meh minor league relief prospect. The move was interesting because it could signal a willingness on the Brewers’ part to become sellers next month – which is to say picking up Francisco, 25, could allow the Brewers to shop incumbent third baseman Aramis Ramirez. The latter turns 35 this Summer, and is owed $10 million this year, $16 million next year, and a $4 million buyout (or $14 million mutual option) in 2015. Given that the Cubs don’t really have a strong third baseman to shop at this point, Ramirez on the market probably doesn’t impact the Cubs’ sell efforts, unless there is a team looking for a bat at third base OR in the outfield, and that team prefers Ramirez to, for example, Alfonso Soriano. Mostly I’m just interested to see how quickly the Brewers give up on this season and become sellers generally. They could shop Yovani Gallardo, who is struggling, but whose presence on the market definitely would affect the Cubs.

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 4 – May 12, 2024

It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (12:35 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Cubs have played thirteen series so far this season, and this is already their eighth rubber match. Let's see if Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs can bring this one in. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, SS...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

Michael Cerami

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Horrible History, Morel’s Knee, Almonte’s Shoulder, Hoerner, Wesneski, Hendricks, Mervis, and Other Cubs Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to the mothers among you, and to the mothers in my life! I'll be doing some extra family stuff today, so I'm gonna cruise through these Bullets ... Up front, because this was certainly the thing most...

Brett Taylor

May 12, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Hendricks Will Start for the Big League Cubs Tomorrow

The Sunday TBD has been D'd, and it's going to be Kyle Hendricks coming back an outing early. Instead of making another rehab start at Iowa, Hendricks is going to be activated from the IL to rejoin the rotation tomorrow:...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 10, Cubs 9 – May 11, 2024

The Cubs came within 90 feet of keeping that ridiculous game going. No dice. Stupid game. Early on, it just kinda seemed like the Cubs might lose a perfectly normal - bad, but normal - game. Justin Steele did not...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Cubs at Pirates (3:05 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — After a little tease yesterday, Seiya Suzuki is actually, officially in the Cubs lineup today. And he'll be greeted with a tough matchup against the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball. Welcome back! Chicago Cubs Lineup:...

Michael Cerami

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Good, Yency Almonte is Now Also Hurt

Today the Chicago Cubs placed reliever Yency Almonte on the Injured List with a right shoulder strain. Jose Cuas has been recalled from Iowa to take his place in the bullpen. Almonte, together with Mark Leiter Jr., had been performing...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Credit to Assad, Huge Ups to Brown, Hopes for Taillon, Happ’s Bat and Glove, Bellinger History, and Other Cubs Bullets

How did I not know that the Aurora Borealis was going to be visible last night?!?!? I woke up this morning to all these awesome pictures from friends and other people in the area, and I'm MISERABLE ABOUT IT. With...

Brett Taylor

May 11, 2024

Picks

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves take the court in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 10:30 PM ET. The...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Knicks vs. Pacers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The New York Knicks are slight 2-point favorites heading into Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, beginning at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The series is...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

NBA Picks

Mavericks vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 – Monday, May 13, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks are slight 1.5-point favorites heading into Game 4 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center on Monday, starting at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The Mavericks hold...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

NHL Playoffs Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – May 13

With two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL card Monday, you have plenty of chances to place an anytime goal-scorer wager. Keep scrolling for the odds on players from each matchup.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Oilers vs. Canucks NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, and are -218 favorites on the moneyline, with the road team at +180.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best Oilers vs. Canucks Promo...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Oakland Athletics 2024 Schedule and How to Watch their games

MLB

How to Watch Athletics Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...

Brian Twining

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Angels vs. Cardinals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) host Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) on Monday in a series opener, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for TV...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Mariners vs. Royals: Live Stream or on TV

On Monday, George Kirby will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) versus Brady Singer and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) on Monday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the Arizona-Cincinnati matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Reds and when...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Padres vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Diego Padres (22-21), led by Jurickson Profar, host Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (12-28) at 9:40 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.The article below will provide you with everything you need to watch San Diego...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Lukewarm Stove: Castro’s Trade Value, Feldman’s Skill, the Rangers’ Needs, and the Brewers’ Plans

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular