Padres Editorial: Potential Shortstop Upgrades

Mar 16, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) bats against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Starlin Castro

Castro has emerged as a lone bright spot for the struggling Chicago Cubs the last few years.  At 25 years old, he checks all the boxes to be included in Preller’s new bunch:  Young, Right Handed, Solid Hitter, Expensive, and a former All-Star.

Castro would certainly be an offensive upgrade at the position, but adding this piece would likely further degrade the infield defensively.  In his career, Castro led, or flirted with leading, of the National League in errors at shortstop.  The Padres have already sacrificed on defense, so having a defensive liability at the most integral position on the diamond is a concern.

Furthermore, Castro is still owed $40.4 million over the next four years, a salary that seems very steep for the Padres.  However, Preller, Dee, and Fowler have proven this off season that money is not quite the obstacle that it used to be for the Padres and their “Win Now” attitude.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs “love” their minor league shortstop Addison Russell, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics in the Jeff Samardzija trade. Showing that they might be willing to deal their All-Star shortstop.

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