Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Marlins To Decline Club Option On Starlin Castro

By Mark Polishuk | October 31, 2019 at 5:11pm CDT

As expected, the Marlins will decline their $16MM option on infielder Starlin Castro, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (Twitter link).  Castro will instead receive a $1MM buyout and head into the free agent market for the first time in his career.

Castro’s eventual departure from Miami has been more or less forecast ever since he was acquired from the Yankees as part of the Giancarlo Stanton blockbuster in December 2017.  Castro’s inclusion in the deal was largely due to help balance out the salaries involved in the trade, and the Marlins have spent much of the last two seasons exploring trades for Castro as part of the club’s efforts to pare down payroll and move veteran talent.

Castro didn’t entirely help his trade value by posting a pair of decent but unspectacular seasons in Miami.  2018 saw him hit .278/.329/.400 over 647 PA, with a 101 wRC+ and 102 OPS+ indicating slightly above-average offense and solid glovework upping his value to 2.3 fWAR.  He took a step back to 1.3 fWAR and a 91 wRC+/94 OPS+ in 2019 largely due to a horrific opening three months of the season, as Castro hit only .230/.258/.313 over his first 345 plate appearances.

His much improved hitting from July 1 onward will help Castro’s chances in free agency, and he also boosted his versatility by playing third base for the first time in his Major League career, appearing in 45 games at the hot corner last season.  Though a ten-year veteran, Castro still doesn’t turn 30 years old until March, making him both younger and with a lot more experience as an everyday performer than several of the other second-tier options on the second base/third base market.

The Marlins will move forward with prospect Isan Diaz penciled into second base, though since Diaz only had a .566 OPS over his first 201 Major League plate appearances, Miami is likely to look for a veteran backup or multi-position player who could step into second base duty if Diaz still needs more minor league seasoning.  Re-signing Castro is “not a priority early in free agency,” Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears from a source, though the Marlins haven’t totally closed the door on the possibility of a Castro return.

Share 0 Retweet 16 Send via email0

Miami Marlins Transactions Starlin Castro

Mason Williams Elects Free Agency
Main
Padres Decline Aaron Loup’s Option; Robbie Erlin Elects Free Agency
View Comments (54)
Post a Comment

54 Comments

  1. TrillionaireTeamOperator

    6 years ago

    Meh. This is an example of just because a guy isn’t worth his maximum potential AAV doesn’t mean he isn’t worth a roster spot. I think he could hook on somewhere for 1 year/$5M be worth that much or a bit more. Heck I think he should be signed to a 2 year/$12M deal with a $1M buyout on an $8M option. I liked him on the Yankees and I feel like he could’ve had a much better career. Not sure why he doesn’t put it all together.

    2
    Reply
    • tycobb016

      6 years ago

      The man can hit.

      Reply
      • Ully

        6 years ago

        I agree, he still has an outside chance of 3,000

        Reply
        • 24TheKid

          6 years ago

          Don’t think he’ll be given the opportunity.

          Reply
        • Connorsoxfan

          6 years ago

          He’d need 8 more years with the same number of hits as last year.

          Reply
  2. Rallyshirt

    6 years ago

    Cubs?

    Reply
    • cubsfanbudman1908

      6 years ago

      My though too… but that would be throwing in the towel on Hoerner or Happ

      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        6 years ago

        the latter isnt impossible

        Reply
      • jdan74

        6 years ago

        Happ is a lost cause. Hoerner looks pretty good, but he’s a rookie, and he definitely cooled off quite a bit in September. No one knows what he can really do. Cubs need hitters that actually make contact. Sign Castro for a 2 year $8 million contract and let him hit.

        Reply
      • mlb1225

        6 years ago

        I don’t see the Cubs giving up on Hoerner just yet. He’s only 22, and didn’t even have 100 plate appearances at the MLB level yet. MLB.com ranks him as the 47th best prospect as well.

        Reply
      • Robertn623

        6 years ago

        Hopefully happ…dont think he will be playing much with maddon gone

        Reply
      • spinach

        6 years ago

        Lol Starlin Castro blocking anyone.

        Reply
    • Mikel Grady

      6 years ago

      Definitely Cubs. One person I was wishing would have gotten a ring .

      Reply
    • mistry gm

      6 years ago

      Anyone that would wish him on the Cubs id probably. a White Sox fan. We had him once and I would NEVER want the seed chewer back.

      Reply
    • its_happening

      6 years ago

      Possibly Boston.

      Reply
  3. stubby66

    6 years ago

    Could he manage short again in Milwaukee at the right price maybe. Still cant believe he is only 30 still

    Reply
  4. macstruts

    6 years ago

    There are many landing spots for this guy. A lot of teams could do worse.

    3
    Reply
    • Coachbulldog

      6 years ago

      I agree with you. He is an above average hitter and certainly not a liability with the glove.

      Reply
      • Cam

        6 years ago

        He is not an above average hitter. 98 OPS+ for his career, and worse than that last year.

        A team can’t give him everyday at bats if he’s carrying a .300 OBP again.

        Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    6 years ago

    id hope Klentak is interested as a stopgap 2B/bench bat

    Reply
  6. sufferforsnakes

    6 years ago

    I refuse to say Cleveland.

    Reply
  7. 1738hotlinebling

    6 years ago

    Angels , put him at second with Simmons , trade La Stella for pitching , La Stella and Maddon have a history of disagreement. Both teams win

    Reply
    • macstruts

      6 years ago

      The Angels have Rengifo, LaStella, Fletcher, Cozart and possibly Thaiss.

      I’d be very surprised if the Angels find a spot for him. Last year, yeah. Next year, maybe. But not this year. They have to let that hand play out.

      2
      Reply
      • angelsinthetroutfield

        6 years ago

        Agreed. Even if one of that group is traded we still have Jam Jones ready to graduate to the bigs. Castro fits the mold of the typical Halo infielder but I just dont see room for him on this club

        Reply
    • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

      6 years ago

      Not sure trading him makes any sense. He is going to be a free agent in 2021, and had half season where you’d go Wow. Teams generally don’t trade much value for that if any, especially with the depth at the position. So at that point he’s probably more valuable to the Angels.

      Reply
  8. driftcat28 2

    6 years ago

    Could see Castro on the Red Sox as a stop gap. 1 or 2 year deal

    3
    Reply
    • phamdownbytheriver

      6 years ago

      To play where?

      1
      Reply
      • ellisburks

        6 years ago

        Second base I would suspect. The Sox don’t have anyone there and he could probably be had on a reasonable, short contract

        Reply
  9. king beas

    6 years ago

    If he continues to play every day he could have sneaky impressive career numbers in the future

    Reply
  10. angt222

    6 years ago

    No surprise here.

    Reply
  11. CursedRangers

    6 years ago

    Won’t happen, but I’d love to see the Rangers drop Odor and replace him with Castro.

    1
    Reply
    • mistry gm

      6 years ago

      Why is anyone a fan of his. He payed no attention to the game half the time.

      Reply
  12. chicagofan1978

    6 years ago

    White Sox. Was always a fan of his

    Reply
    • BeeVeeTee

      6 years ago

      Would Castro play second base until Madigral comes up?

      Reply
      • chicagofan1978

        6 years ago

        He can be a utility guy, I believe he played some third last year and hell learn him some first if necessary.

        Reply
  13. stretch123

    6 years ago

    Loved him on the Fish but he deserves to play for a contender after years of playing for rebuilding clubs. In my opinion, he would be a nice utility man option for the Yanks and I think he would be a nice fit for the Nats on a 1 or 2 year deal if Rendon leaves.

    Reply
  14. slider32

    6 years ago

    Castro is a younger version of Howie Kendrick, he can help a contender next year.

    Reply
    • trout27

      6 years ago

      Howie Kendrick is a much better hitter than Castro right now.

      Reply
    • Sid Bream

      6 years ago

      That was a great joke. Kendrick is a far superior player. Furthermore, Castro won’t be playing like Kendrick has through ages 30-35, and he isn’t as versatile either.

      Reply
  15. Polish Hammer

    6 years ago

    Why pay one guy $16mil when you can stick their whole team for that much?

    Reply
  16. its_happening

    6 years ago

    Would be perfect for a team with a lefty INF stick who struggles against lefties. Castro can step in. Might also be time to teach Castro how to play 1B to be a viable 2B/3B/1B backup.

    Reply
  17. bucknerkingmansutter

    6 years ago

    I believe the Cubs…replacing Zobrist.

    Reply
  18. Judge Judy

    6 years ago

    Amazing. He was the best 2nd baseman in the league in NY. And now…

    Reply
    • joepanikatthedisco

      6 years ago

      In NY: 2 seasons, 99 OPS+, 3.3 bWAR
      In Miami: 2 seasons, 98 OPS+, 4.0 bWAR

      Reply
      • gocards2849

        6 years ago

        Lol… People think he was the best in the league because he played for the Yankees

        Reply
        • ekrog

          6 years ago

          Every Yankee is the best ever. If you don’t believe me just ask their fans.

          Reply
        • MarlinsFanBase

          6 years ago

          IDK…according to Mets fans, Mets beat writers, and the Mets PR machine, every Mets player is the greatest ever. And when the team fails like it traditionally does, it’s the manager’s fault, the players are underachieving because they aren’t performing at least 25% than they’ve ever shown before, or some other excuse.

          Reply
  19. CubsRebsSaints

    6 years ago

    If someone could teach him an Javy Baez to wait and hit pitches they can drive, versus seeing if they can put the bat on anything and dink it 3rd, they’d both be unstoppable. Obviously Baez is a better hitter, but they have that same qualms some extent. I’d be interested to see his glove work numbers. He would make a helluva backup INF 2nd/3rd maybe even SS. I think he’d be better as that than an everyday player. He looses focus throughout the course of a long season playing every game.

    Reply
  20. weaselpuppy

    6 years ago

    Berti will start over Diaz. Isan needs to get his groove back at AAA

    Reply
  21. Cam

    6 years ago

    I can’t see Castro finding an everyday gig with any team of significance. The problem is, he just doesn’t do anything well enough anymore. His bat is declining, and hits volume can’t offset an OBP like the. 300 he put up this season. He hasn’t been trustworthy at SS for years, and he isn’t good enough at 2B or 3B to make up for the lack of bat. Plus, he’s been a terrible baserunner his entire career, and falls short on intangibles considering his tendency to make mental gaffes and lose focus.

    Unless he’s got some extra tricks up his sleeve, he’s going to have to settle for being a bench guy going forward.

    Reply
  22. nymetsking

    6 years ago

    The ‘centerpiece’ of the Stanton trade…. gone! I wonder what both Marlins fans think of this?

    Reply
    • MarlinsFanBase

      6 years ago

      Um, the centerpiece of the Stanton trade was getting rid of that contract. How’d that contract look this year? How will it look when Stanton opts in to spend half of those years on the DL? Oh yeah, and don’t speak too soon because our front office built the Yankees system which led into what they’ve become, and the two prospects they nabbed from the Yankees were guys they specifically wanted.

      And what do we think? Well…at least we aren’t the Mets. Who has the longest World Series Championship drought in the NL East?

      Last championship by NL East teams:
      Nats – 2019
      Phillies – 2008
      Marlins – 2003
      Braves – 1995
      Mets – 1986

      Reply
  23. MarlinsFanBase

    6 years ago

    On behalf of every Marlins fan that is standing in full support of the rebuild, buh bye! Starling, can you take Chen with you too?

    Building toward the next run! Go Marlins!

    1997…2003…????

    Reply
    • Polish Hammer

      6 years ago

      All 13 of them thank you for making that statement…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Recent

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Chicago Cubs

    Latest On Rockies’ Expected Deadline Approach

    Kolby Allard Elects Free Agency

    Rangers Re-Sign Billy McKinney To Minor League Deal

    White Sox Outright Vinny Capra

    White Sox Sign Kyle Tyler To Minor League Deal

    Nationals Sign Luis Garcia

    Poll: The Yankees’ Biggest Need At The Deadline

    Yankees Place Mark Leiter Jr. On IL With Fibular Head Stress Fracture

    Rhys Hoskins Expects To Be Out Roughly Six Weeks

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version