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Miami Marlins: Starlin Castro shines bright despite gloomy season

By James Mastrucci

SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 30: Starlin Castro #13 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MAY 30: Starlin Castro #13 of the Miami Marlins hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on May 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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There are not a whole lot of bright spots for the Miami Marlins this season. Although Starlin Castro in his first season in a Marlins uniform is shining bright.

Nobody said it was going to be easy for Starlin Castro this season, going from a World Series contender in the New York Yankees to a rebuilding franchise in the Miami Marlins. Click here for how they continued their rebuild with the draft. Even with the change of scenery and different expectations Castro is performing at a high level and is proving to be a bright spot in the Marlins lineup.

Starlin Castro
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 23: Starlin Castro #13 of the Miami Marlins drives in a run against the New York Mets in the ninth inning during their game at Citi Field on May 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Through June 6 Castro is slashing .297/.336/.411 with a .747 OPS. Castro’s average, on-base and slugging percentage this season exceed his career averages. Castro is slashing .282/.321/.413 with .733 OPS for his career. At this point in time Castro ranks 15th in all of baseball in hits (70). The only other Marlins player in the top 40 in hits is Brian Anderson who ranks 22nd with 68 hits. Having a player in Castro who is consistently getting on base via the hit is good for any team. Even the last place Miami Marlins.

Miami is benefiting from the 28-year-old Castro outperforming his career numbers, even though they are not necessarily leading to wins.

What is Starlin Castro’s real benefit to the Miami Marlins if they are not winning games?

To go back down a familiar path, Starlin Castro’s value is in the trade market. It’s obvious that by the time Miami is ready to compete again, Castro will no longer be the same player or his contract will have long expired. Trading Castro now can get Miami assets for the future for a productive middle infielder. A position that many playoff teams could use help at.

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Castro’s current contract runs through the 2020 season with a club option for the 2021 season. The next two years will see Castro earning just over $22.5 million and $16 million in the option year, that is if the $1 million buyout is not activated. Castro’s contract is not cheap, in fact he makes the seventh-most among second baseman this season. However there are players making more than him doing a lot less which is something to consider.

A couple spots to keep an eye out for Castro are Cleveland, Los Angeles Angeles and Seattle. Cleveland and Los Angeles both have struggling second baseman and Seattle has the whole Robinson Cano suspension to deal with. If any of these teams want to upgrade their position or have a playoff eligible second baseman, Castro is their guy. The good news for the Marlins is that since he is more than a half-season rental they could get a good return for his services. A return that could help speed up their rebuild.

Next: Miami Marlins look to the future in draft

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