Milwaukee Brewers: What’s the latest on Starlin Castro?

It’s widely expected that Miami Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro moves on before the end of the off season. Based on the latest details, it’s clear that the Marlins are looking to deal Castro. Could the Milwaukee Brewers get a solid second baseman at a discount? It’s possible.

The Miami Marlins want to add Starlin Castro into a deal for another player. While Heyman mentions J.T. Realmuto and Christian Yelich, wouldn’t it make sense to package Castro with Dan Straily?

We’ve already detailed a move for Straily, but what would it cost the Milwaukee Brewers to add Castro to a deal?

What would a deal for Castro & Straily to the Milwaukee Brewers look like?

Dealing Castro to the Milwaukee Brewers straight up would have to be a salary dump. The Brewers can take on the remaining $22 million in guaranteed money Castro is owed. A low level prospect or a fringy outfielder like Kyle Wren should be more than enough to send Castro to Milwaukee.

But what if the Marlins include Straily? The Marlins starter has three years of arbitration eligibility left before he hits free agency. Straily posted a 2.0-WAR season in 2017. However, 2018 is his age-29 season. He’s about four years removed from prospect status, and he’s been in five organizations in the last four years. It’s clear that he has ability that scouts recognize, but it’s never really come together for a full season.

A deal for Straily and Castro in a package deal could look like this…

Why does this deal make sense for both teams?

The Miami Marlins get the salary relief they need to further their rebuild. They also get a former top prospect who appears to need a change of scenery in Trent Grisham, and a toolsy arm in Wuilder Rodriguez. Given the glut of outfielders at the highest levels of the Milwaukee Brewers organization, Grisham isn’t going to break through soon. He needs to head elsewhere to find room on a Major League roster.

The Milwaukee Brewers will be on the hook for all of Castro’s deal and the bump in salary that Straily will earn in arbitration. They also add an upgrade at second base, and an arm to round out their rotation.

Castro is a better option than the current in-house choices at second base. He doesn’t fit as a lead off hitter, but he adds more to the every day lineup despite his mediocre OBP.

Straily would slot into the Milwaukee Brewers rotation right behind Chase Anderson and Zach Davies. Jhoulys Chacin is locked in, and Brandon Woodruff should break camp as a member of the rotation. Right now, the Brewers have Junior Guerra, Yovani Gallardo, and Brent Suter battling it out for the fifth starter’s role until Jimmy Nelson returns. Straily is a superior option to all three. He would push at least two of the trio into the bullpen, and the third into Colorado Springs.

Next: Is there a fit for a deal between the Giants and Brewers?

Flipping a few prospects who don’t really fit in with the current Milwaukee Brewers for two capable veterans is good business for the team. Castro and Straily don’t require a lengthy contract commitment, and they can come to Milwaukee without key prospects heading back. If the opportunity to add both or either presents itself, Brewers GM David Stearns needs to jump on it.