Yankees get Starlin Castro in deal with Cubs

The Chicago Cubs agreed to the terms with free-agent Ben Zobrist (infielder/outfielder) and traded Starling Castro (second baseman) to the New York Yankees, team announced Tuesday. “That’s my one goal the next four years: We’ve got to win a championship and bring a World Series trophy back to Chicago”.

“It was really important for Ben to have a spot on the diamond”, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said.

Castro was benched from the starting lineup for a week by Cubs manager Joe Maddon, then hit.

“I think that I can be a really productive Major League player for the next few years”.

“As I get older, I just need to continue to make sure I’m staying in peak shape and taking care of my body the best I can”, Zobrist said.

Warren, who grew up in New Bern, NC, played three years for the Tar Heels from 2006 – 2008, posting a 9-2 record as a starter his Junior year with Carolina’s lowest ERA in ACC play that season. “But I think in the end, this was the one that really motivated me the most, as well, knowing the opportunity to win a championship here in Chicago, right now, that’s the main motivation for me”.

The Cubs’ front office has been very, very busy as of late, adding starting pitching by signing John Lackey to a three-year deal and adding relief pitching in a trade with the Rockies for Rex Brothers.

Castro, who lives near the Yankees’ spring training complex in Tampa, Florida, is guaranteed $38 million over the remainder of his contract, which is guaranteed through 2019 and includes a club option for 2020.

Castro is a. 281 lifetime hitter and did lead the National League in 2011 with 207 hits. But he batted just.

Maddon believes Zobrist’s postseason experience and veteran presence will help a young Cubs roster flourish next season.

“That’s a tough moment, this guy’s an All-Star player that all of a sudden you take him and shift him during the middle of the season, he easily could have made a fuss about it. He did not make that fuss”. This gives the Yankees four years of control of Castro, and if he’s able to return to his fWAR of close to 3.0 from a season ago, his value will easily surpass his cost. He ranked 18th among 20 qualifying second basemen in WAR previous year, and 16th out of 20 qualifying shortstops. A person familiar with the negotiations says the contract is worth $56 million. “We’ll talk about that more as time goes on, but I know Joe loves to move us around”.

NY wasn’t interested in top-level free agent pitchers such as Zack Greinke, partly because of the luxury tax.

Cashman also said the Yankees never tried to sign Zobrist.