Starlin Castro Moved to the States for the Offseason and Other Bullets

Dec 08, 2015

Season two of ‘The Leftovers’ concluded Sunday night, and as frustratingly beautiful, soul-crushing, and ultimately disappointing as the first season was, the second season was infinitely better. It felt like a different show. It felt like the show I was always hoping I was going to get when I heard that Damon Lindelof – of ‘Lost’ fame – was going to run an HBO show. It was a fantastic season, and, if you watched the first season and (understandably) checked out, or if you skipped the first season entirely, I highly recommend it. That was one of the best put-together and gripping seasons of TV I’ve seen in a long time.

After a tumultuous offseason last year in the Dominican Republic, including a couple close-call shootings, Starlin Castro moved to the Tampa area this offseason to train and get ready for the 2016 season (Tribune). I don’t think anyone took pleasure in having to tell Castro that he really needed to leave his home to get away from the risks and distractions in the offseason, but it does seem to be the best thing for him. Whatever might happen on the transaction side of things this winter, here’s hoping Castro will be able to be in the right headspace coming into Spring Training, and, if he’s still with the Cubs, be ready to continue what he was doing in August and September and October after he eventually became the team’s new starting second baseman.

The Arizona Fall League revealed its top prospects team, and, deservedly, Willson Contreras and Jeimer Candelario make the cut. Contreras, one of the Cubs’ top prospects, had his fall end early because of a hamstring injury, but Candelario, in particular, erupted during the league’s play.

[adinserter block=”1″]

Yesterday’s big, non-transaction news was the Kris Bryant grievance, and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer responded with mostly a dismissal (Cubs.com). The Cubs have known about it since May, they still have a good relationship with Bryant and Scott Boras, they feel like they’re in the right, and the process just has to work itself out. What else is there to say, really? Like I said yesterday: the reality is, there are bigger forces at work here, and the real issue is the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is up after next year. This is a serious issue that needs addressing, and this is an angle the MLBPA took, with Bryant (and Maikel Franco) as a perfect case. I literally do not blame anyone on any side of this for doing what they’ve done. For completely fan-driven selfish reasons, I hope the Cubs win the grievance and don’t lose Bryant a year earlier than they were planning, but, at the same time, I am not exactly into the idea of rooting against a guy like Bryant to earn what he can in the years he’s given to earn.

I have seen ugly Cubs sweaters before, but what about an ugly Cubs sweater hat? I actually kinda love it.

Things move quickly this time of year, so if you missed any of the rumor/news stuff earlier today or last night: a big rumor round-up here, the Cubs/Braves/Miller here, Jason Motte is gone here, and Jason Heyward is a legit target here.

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

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: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks on May 14 at 9:30 PM ET, and have been made -218 favorites, with the away team at +180.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best...

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

How to Watch Angels vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

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.The article below will provide you with everything you need to...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Royals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners (22-19), with George Kirby on the mound, host the Kansas City Royals (25-17) who will hand the ball to Brady Singer, at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City matchup...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

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

Jordan Montgomery takes the ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) when they host starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona...

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), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, host the Colorado Rockies (12-28) who will hand the ball to Dakota Hudson, at 9:40 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out how to...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) at 9:45 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-San Francisco matchup in...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Guardians Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Cleveland Guardians are on the road, opening a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Starlin Castro Moved to the States for the Offseason and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular