Starlin Casto is having one of the best stretches of his career with the Chicago Cubs after coming close to hitting for the cycle. The short stop is well aware that his short-term and long-term future with the franchise is up in the air as the team continues to get linked to trade deals heading into the wavier deadline. However, Castro appears to be thriving at second base with Addison Russell taking over the short stop position and that tandem could continue.
The Cubs have their eyes on the post season and part of that will hinge on whether or not Castro can stay out of a slump. According to Castro, all of the trade rumors and hints of a departure have made him a much better player and the Cubs are repaying him by allowing him to continue starting for the team moving forward.
"Those moments make you stronger," Castro said, CSNChicago.com. "For me right now, it doesn't matter where I am in the lineup. I just want to be in the lineup every day, to get my confidence back, to get my every-day play back. That's what we're trying to do again."
The Cubs certainly have their chance to replace Castro without making any moves what so ever at the deadline. Javier Baez is patiently waiting his turn to come back to Chicago as September call ups could see the top prospect on the field with Kris Bryant and Russell who were playing with him in Triple A. The Cubs have been cautious with how quickly they move Baez into the majors, but with the playoffs around the corner they might not have an option.
"That's what we're focused on now," general manager Jed Hoyer said, via the Chicago Tribune. "I have no idea what the future brings that way. We don't have an urgent need, but right now we're comfortable letting him play and getting better at Triple A. Provide some normalcy to a season that has been kind of weird for him."
The Cubs could also make moves at the deadline. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, Jose Reyes wants a trade from the slumping Colorado Rockies. Martin Prado is available at the right price from the Miami Marlins. If confidence begins to dip over the weekend, the Cubs could easily make a quick move to acquire one more piece for the postseason.
