THE RUMOR: The Padres have discussed shortstop Starlin Castro with the Cubs.
REPORTED BY: Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi
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THE DETAILS: Morosi reported the Cubs have inquired about the Padres' available starters; Morosi's colleague Ken Rosenthal reported Chicago is focused on right-hander Tyson Ross, a very popular target. ESPN's Buster Olney reported James Shields is not an option.
THIS SEASON: Entering Monday's game, Castro was hitting just .233/.268/.302 with five homers. He's owed $37 million over the next four seasons with a $16 million team option ($1 million buyout) for 2020. Ross, 28, is 6-8 with a 3.45 ERA and a 2.88 FIP. He also has a stellar home run ratio (major league-leading 0.2 HR/9). As has been the case for most Padres starters, Ross has been plagued by a lack of run support (3.4 runs per game while he is on the mound). Ross has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining and can be a free agent after the 2017 season. He's making $5.25 million this year.
OUR TAKE: An All-Star last season, the 25-year-old Castro has been terrible this season and is showing few signs of breaking out of his slump. With all the young and talented prospects desperate for playing time behind Castro, it may be a win-win for the team and the player to part ways and provide Castro a change of scenery.