Marlins Trade Rumors: Are teams interested in Starlin Castro?

Will the Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro find a new home at the MLB Trade Deadline?

As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches at warp speed, the Miami Marlins continue to field calls from ball clubs looking to bolster their team’s chances of making the postseason. One player, in particular, second baseman Starlin Castro, remains a veteran likely to have a new home by the end of the month.

Per Mark Polishuk of mlbtraderumors.com and Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins are one of the teams looking to make deals that will help their payroll for 2020 and beyond. Castro, who was part of the deal with the New York Yankees that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the Big Apple, has  $16 million price tag next season the front office does not want on its books.

“Castro has been a trade candidate since the moment he first came to Miami, dealt in December 2017 (mostly as salary offset) as part of the blockbuster deal that sent [Giancarlo Stanton] to the Yankees,” Polishuk writes.“The rebuilding Marlins didn’t have much use for a veteran with a pricey contract, though their efforts to deal Castro over the last year and a half haven’t been successful.  If nothing else, that time diminished the money attached to Castro’s services — he is still owed roughly $4.7MM of his $11MM salary for the 2019 season, and his $16MM club option for 2020 can be bought out for $1MM.”More from Marlins RumorsWhat can the Miami Marlins still do?Miami Marlins rumors: Ideal CF targetMiami Marlins rumors: Trade for CF?Miami Marlins rumors: A signing we needMiami Marlins rumors: Is Bobby Dalbec a target?

You can almost guarantee if they cannot trade him, the Marlins will buy that contract out the moment they are able.

I believe there will be other players contenders will consider, which could include young relievers or veteran closer Sergio Romo. The Marlins, 36-61 this season, have played better in 2019 although their record may not indicate progress.

Miami needs hitters, something the team has severely lacked this season. Miami managed just six hits in the 9-0 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday. Trading Castro, who is having a down year at the plate, opens the door for Triple-A sensation Isan Diaz, who has been red hot this season batting .305 with 24 home runs and 64 RBI. Diaz is currently fifth in the Southern League in home runs hit. The 23-year-old should assume full-time duties at second next season.

Since Castro wasn’t keen on being part of the Marlins rebuild from the moment he stepped foot in South Florida, he might welcome a change of scenery.

“It’s probably safe to assume that interested teams are looking at Castro just as infield depth for the stretch run, and perhaps hoping that getting away from the last-place Marlins and into a pennant race would help jolt Castro back into something resembling his old self,” Polishuk added.