Do the Marlins keep Starlin Castro in 2020?

Will the Miami Marlins change their blueprint and keep Starlin Castro on the roster in 2020?

The Marlins third baseman Starlin Castro picked the right time to pick up the pace at the plate.

The veteran is nearing the end of what is supposed to be his final season in Miami before he moves on to another club. But Castro’s recent power surge and move to third base, which has been successful so far, may just keep him in Miami next season despite a $16 million price tag on the final year of his deal with the team.

It’s a topic that wasn’t supposed to come up. Castro, who came over from the New York Yankees in the deal for Giancarlo Stanton, was the one veteran who was going to be traded at the Major League deadline. It did not happen. The front office made moves to change its infield and also move around its blueprint a bit.

Now, keeping the veteran on the roster to help with clutch hitting, leadership and balance could be a real possibility for the 2020 season.

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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro has a similar take and why moving on from Castro is not a closed-door just yet.

“Until a few days ago, I never considered bringing Castro back as a possibility. But I haven’t ruled it out. Castro is making $11 million this year, and he has a club option for $16 million in 2020 with a $1 million buyout. The Marlins are not expected to pick up that $16 million club option, which would make Castro a free agent,” he writes.

The Marlins made the decision to bring highly touted prospect Isan Diaz up from Triple-A New Orleans after the All-Star Break. He has assumed the role at second base. He has had some struggles since the move was made, both at the plate and in the field. The move also meant Brian Anderson remained in right field, although he is lost for the season because of a broken hand.

Should Castro remain in Miami, Anderson will once again assume the role in the outfield, solving a question that needed to be answered in Spring Training and Diaz continues his education at second base with Castro at the hot corner, serving as a mentor. The Marlins would move on from Castro after 2020, with Anderson moving back to his natural position.

It also depends on what Castro wants to do in his future.

“Castro would clearly look at all options with other clubs. But if he doesn’t find a better fit elsewhere, I wouldn’t rule out the Marlins approaching him on a one-year deal, perhaps in the $5 million range,” Frisaro explained.