Cubs catcher Welington Castillo wants to be part of the future in Chicago, but he understands that in order for that to happen he likely has some more improvement to do, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Castillo, 27, is entering his prime-age seasons but doesn’t hear his name mentioned alongside younger core players like Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. Castillo specifically mentions that he recognizes the fact that baseball is a business and he can’t assume that he will be in a starting role. Cubs GM Jed Hoyer again said to Wittenmyer that the team plans to add at least one everyday veteran this winter, leading Wittenmyer to speculate on Russell Martin, who would give the Cubs a major defensive boost behind the plate. While catching coach Mike Borzello feels that Castillo is “the best in the business” at blocking pitches, Castillo ranks at the bottom of Baseball Prospectus’ Blocking Runs Added stat and ranks 72nd among 97 catchers in extra strikes via pitch framing (also via B-Pro). Hoyer, however, did give Castillo a vote of confidence: “I really believe in Welly. … He doesn’t get mentioned a lot when we talk about our established young veterans, but he can be in that mix as well.”
Here’s more from the NL Central…
- ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers also has quotes from Hoyer on his desire for veteran leadership, and Rogers wonders if the club would pursue a veteran such as Jonny Gomes to help out in left field. While he notes that Gomes, of course, wouldn’t be an everyday player, “a quasi-starter who has winning experience might be the best option” given the lack of starting-caliber bats at positions of need for the Cubs, Rogers opines. He, too, notes that Martin would be a good fit in Chicago, though.
- Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette looks at the extraordinary preparation and conditioning that have contributed to Russell Martin’s brilliant season. Brink spoke to Martin’s coaches and teammates about what he means to the club, with GM Neal Huntington stating that the club is going to do everything it can to re-sign its catcher. Perhaps most interesting, however, is the fact that Brink notes that the Pirates offered Martin a two-year, $17MM deal and a three-year, $21MM deal when signing him prior to the 2013 season. Martin explains to Brink that he didn’t want to sign for three years, because he felt he could improve his stock on a two-year pact, which he has done in dramatic fashion.
- One veteran scout tells Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Cardinals outfielder Peter Bourjos is the best defensive center fielder he’s seen in 38 years as a scout. Bourjos and Randal Grichuk were acquired from the Angels with the idea that one of them would be the team’s everyday center fielder in 2015, writes Hummel, but Jon Jay’s solid offense has muddied the picture and left the Cardinals with choices to make. Bourjos has hit better of late, boosting his season batting line to .241/.305/.367, and he drew praise from manager Mike Matheny as well. It’ll be interesting to see how the Cardinals decide to proceed, not only in the next few weeks, but in the offseason as well.
Martin will NOT become a Cub unless they drastically overpay and give him 20 Mil a year which will never happen
Strange statement.
This is the 3rd post on this site about Martin and the Cubs it is not happening so why keep mentioning it?
You have some sort of inside knowledge?
They have the money. Other than a front line starter, which I would think they would hire as well, they don’t have many spots to put a veteran. Other than Martin, are there any other quality choices? Maybe it won’t be Martin but he sure seems like a good possibility.
It’s weak this year. You have one clear cut top end option in Martin, one lower-mid end starter tier in Soto, and a bunch of “oh….that guy” type players.
I’m pretty sure Soto is one of those “oh…that guy” kinda players you mentioned.
Oh…I just looked him up. I didn’t realize he was quite that terrible.
Cubs fans are probably considerably more familiar with Soto than most… and just how rarely all that ‘potential’ manifests itself on the field. He’ll have a good run occasionally… then he’s a waste of a roster space for months at a time.
Everyone in Baseball is seeing what is going on with the Cubs. Pieces are in place and more pieces are to come. I think you are going to see more players willing or wanting to go to Chicago to have a chance to be on “The TEAM!” that gives the Chicago Cubs a WS. The team that does that will have their page in history. And for this fact, i dont think the Cubs will have to over pay for anyone and shouldnt. I think the front office has shown thats not what they are about except for Jackon LOL.
Can I assume that you think that Theo Epstein’s history was shaped by ownership in Boston?
You must be new here. We LOVE beating the dead horse on moves that will never happen. See Starlin Castro blogs…
You must be a friend of Martin to already know this isn’t happening. Catcher may be one of the Cubs only weak spots if these young guys keep performing. Why wouldn’t Martin want to play for them? I could see wanting a ring being an issue (seeing as how a lot of people look at Cubs cursed for life) but if the Cubs can sign 1 or 2 of the bigger FA pitchers, they are in a great position to contend next year (more likely in 2 years)
If Martin wants to win next season, however, the Cubs aren’t the place likely to do that. Even if all the young prospects work out – as highly unlikely as that is statistically speaking – it takes a few years for them to develop. I still see the Cubs window for contending as 2017.
The Cubs will be competitive next year. By adding a couple of pieces, they actually have a very good shot at the playoffs. I am not sure you have been paying attention since they have been making call ups… With a lineup of ..
Coghlan CF
Castro SS
Rizzo 1B
Soler RF
Bryant LF
Martin C
Valbuena/Olt 3B
That is high potency and with a starting rotation of
Lester
Arrieta
Hendricks
Jokisch/Wada
Doubront/Turner/Rosscup
Especially if The Cubs go after another starting pitcher as well… Believe me, they WILL have the money.. It is highly likely they will be in very good shape to be make the playoffs.
Bryant won’t be up to start the season, they dont want to start his clock. Baez certainly isnt ready yet to hit in the majors. Hendricks is a 5th starter at best, eventually hitters will catch up to him. What you fail to understand is that most young players take time to develop. Eventually the Cubs may have a dynamite lineup but it will take time.
I’m not sure the Cubs are ready for Jonny Gomes yet. I think they have to wait until they’re just about ready to win a World Series, so Jonny can take credit for their success.
Huntington doesn’t have to do everything, he has to do one thing – pay the price. I’d think they could afford it.
I’ll be interested to see what “everything” means. I’m still surprised that after McCann’s 5/$85 deal last year that most pundits are still suggesting Martin will settle for around a $12 mill AAV for 4 years. I think it’ll take an AAV of $15 mill and that the Dodgers (and possibly Cubs) might go over that.
Given Martin’s abilities, maybe he’d even consider the Dodgers to be career-lengthening. They don’t bury sliders and require the gymnastic moves Martin has needed to catch the Bucs staff.
I think if Huntington has drawn the line at $12 mill, he’ll be in for plenty of criticism given the Bucs are in win-now mode. At $15 mill for 4 years, if he gets outbid, then that’s just the fact of small-market economics.
I’m not all that familiar, but aren’t the Bucs in great shape payroll wise? McCutchen is inexpensive. I guess Walker is at a crossroads. But still, even if they are small market, paying one veteran 18 or whatever doesn’t seem that excessive.
Yes, but it’s a big chunk of payroll to tie up, for a long time, in one guy who at some point is gonna start showing his age.
Whether the price is affordable and whether it’s wise to pay it are different questions.
They’re hamstrung by the worst local TV deal in MLB through 2018. But yes, they do have decent cost control through 2017. Cutch goes 10/13/14 over next 3 years, Walker probably tops 8, Morton gets 8, Tabata gets 5 and Melancon and Watson will get bumped up a couple mill from current salaries. Those are the only significant salaries. But they have to get some starters – resigning Liriano and/or Volquez will be significant. Harrison could see a big bump. Even Pedro might get another bump. If they extend Polanco next year, that will start to hit in 17/18. Given they’re likely capped at $90 mill total payroll for next few years, an extra $12 to Martin over 4 years is a bigger deal for them than most clubs.
Interesting info.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Tigers and Cardinals work out a trade for one those outfielders.
Perhaps Borzello & Hoyer are merely pumping up Castillo in the hopes of keeping his trade value alive. I’d hate to believe they really think he’s the answer behind the plate.
Jon Jay will be due a raise … which means he will be odd man out. 2 guys playing for minimum wage will win out with these penny pinchers.
Cubs have Ruggiano and Coghlan and Sweeney for outfield/veteran leadership help
for next year. They don’t need anyone else.
if the Cubs go big for any veteran Martin would be my preference. having Martin for a few years gives the Cubs the luxury of seeing if Schwarber can improve behind the plate.
I’m not entirely sure if a bunch of career platoon players (and the just terrible this year Sweeney) really count as ‘veteran leadership’… but the OF’s crowded enough already and unless the Cubs do trade an IF, left field is where Bryant likely winds up in the very near future. the last thing the Cubs needs is another OF on a multi-year deal.
Hall of Fame defense. That’s how scouts described Peter Bourjos when he was first coming up through the minor leagues. The bat just needs to improve.
Almost .900 ops since early July.
The bat can be there in stretches for sure.
Poor guy just can’t get a break and play everyday.
I feel like he’s a .780 OPS hitter with elite defense at an elite position.
Very productive.
But Jay is so well liked in the organization, and he’s hitting.
Hard to see the team give up on him just because of an arb raise.
I can see the cardinals going into next season with the same outfield.
I’d love to see Martin back with the Dodgers. Catcher is a huge weakness for them