Miami Marlins: Starlin Castro becomes intriguing free agent

After his option was declined by the Miami Marlins, Starlin Castro has become one of the more intriguing free agents on the market.

Since he was acquired by the Miami Marlins as part of the return for Giancarlo Stanton, it was expected that Starlin Castro was not long for Florida. His tenure was expected to last for weeks, if not days. Yet, as those trade rumors continued to swirl, the weeks became months, which stretched on to two full seasons. And yet, Castro remained in Miami.

Until now, that is. The Marlins have declined Castro’s $16 million option, instead buying him out for $1 million. With that move, Castro has entered the free agent market.

All told, Castro was reasonably solid for the Marlins. In his two seasons in Miami, he produced a respectable .274/.314/.418 batting line, hitting 63 doubles and 34 homers. That type of production at second base would seemingly be enticing for another team with designs on contending.

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Instead, the Marlins refused to deal Castro in 2018, perhaps hoping for a better payoff during the most recent campaign. Instead, Castro cratered in the first half of the season, posting a miserable .230/.258/.313 batting line with just five homers and ten doubles prior to July 1. While he had a strong second half, his trade value was nonexistent at the deadline.

However, it is that strong second half that makes Castro so intriguing. After that dreadful start to 2019, he posted a .313/.344/.565 batting line, with 17 homers and 21 doubles, over his final 80 games. In the end, Castro had a typical season, but the way he got there was different.

Teams know what they are getting with Castro. He has been a roughly league average bat during his career, with an OPS+ of 98 over his decade in the majors. Castro doesn’t walk much, makes decent contact, and has a bit of pop. He can play short, second, and third, although he may be best at the hot corner, despite having the least experience there. In just 45 career games, all of which came last season, he saved seven runs, good for fifth in the NL.

That combination of a solid bat and defensive flexability will certainly attract attention in free agency. While Starlin Castro is not likely to get one of the top contracts handed out this offseason, the former Miami Marlins infielder is set to be a bargain for a team needing help on the infield.