Two significant moves in MLB today. First, free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos has reportedly signed a 4-year, $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. This development was followed by the news the Pittsburgh Pirates traded outfielder Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects and $250,000 in international pool money.
Castellanos had spent 6½ seasons with the Detroit Tigers including a 101 RBI campaign in 2017 during which he also led the AL in triples. But Castellanos received more attention during his two months in a Chicago Cubs uniform last summer than he did for his entire tenure in a Tigers uniform. In 51 games with the Cubs, Castellanos, who turns 28 in March, hit .321 with 16 HR and 36 RBI. His combined 2019 stats saw Castellanos finish with .289 with 27 HR and 73 RBI. To put those numbers in perspective, Castellanos drove in nearly as many runs with the Cubs as he did with the Tigers despite playing in half as many games and with more than 200 fewer plate appearances. No doubt being dealt from Detroit which has become one of baseball's worst franchises was a liberating experience as he made no secret of his desire to leave the organization a year ago prior to spring training. Although the Cubs failed to reach the post-season, Castellanos' stint with the Cubs made him an attractive free agent.
While it might be a lot to expect Castellanos to replicate the productivity he had at Wrigley, he has entered the prime of his career and the Reds are expect to compete in the NL Central. But in case they don't, his contract contains opt out provisions after this season and the 2021 season. The addition of Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama to a lineup which already includes Eugenio Suarez and Aristides Aquino is exciting as is the prospect of a resurgent Joey Votto. The Reds finally look like they have the makings of a champion.
The same could be said for the D'Backs. All Arizona had to give up for Marte aside from 250K was minor league pitcher Brennan Malone and minor league shortstop Liover Peguro. The D'Backs have a viable starting center fielder and can move Ketel Marte (no relation) back to second base.
Starling Marte has spent his entire professional career with the Pirates signing with them as a teenager in 2007. The Dominican born Marte made the Bucs big league roster in 2012 and became an everyday player in 2013. Marte won Gold Gloves in 2015 and 2016 and was selected to the NL All-Star Team in 2016. Marte does have a black mark against him with his PED suspension early in the 2017 season. However, he has rebounded from that setback. In 2019, Marte hit .295 with 23 HR and 82 RBI along with 25 stolen bases despite missing time early in the season with an abdominal injury.
In eight seasons with the Pirates, the 31-year old Marte collected 1047 hits for a .287 batting average, 108 HR, 420 RBI and 239 stolen bases.
I think Marte will have a tremendous season in Phoenix and could prove the difference in getting them back to the post-season. Perhaps enough of a difference to win a NL MVP.
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