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Chicago Cubs: Team makes smart move with Castellanos trade

By Ryan Sikes

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 28: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers grounds out to third base during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 28, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 28: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers grounds out to third base during the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 28, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Cubs acquired help for their offense in Tigers former number one prospect Nick Castellanos. He’s expected to play right field.

It’s long been rumored that the Chicago Cubs had serious interest in acquiring the services of Nick Castellanos and now we finally have an endpoint. The team just barely got the trade in for Castellanos who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at seasons’ end.

The Tigers are in the midst of their rebuilding mode and made a perfect trade partner with the Cubs who right in the middle of their window for another championship. The offense has looked sluggish at times with scuffling players in Albert Almora, Addison Russell, Daniel Descalso and at times, Kyle Schwarber.

Descalso was brought in to be that extra outfielder but due to Almora’s regression as the everyday centerfielder, it was clear that they needed some help. Castellanos’ stats aren’t eye-popping but he’s a consistent bat this lineup needs.

On the season, he’s slashing 0.273/0.328/0.462 with 37 doubles and 3 triples. The 27-year old has a 0.303 career average (134 wRC+) against lefties and 0.267 (103 wRC+) against righties and should slide nicely into this Cubs lineup.

He came up through the Tigers system as a third base, but after they acquired Jeimer Candelario (from the Cubs) in 2017, Castellanos made the switch to right field. Although he’s not the best fielder, he has a strong arm and made 10 assists from the outfield last season and already has 3 this year.

Castellanos has batted just 0.265 at his home ball park this season and recently ripped Comerica for being a joke.

"“This park is a joke. It’s to the point where how are we going to be compared to the rest of the people in the league in terms of power numbers, OPS, slugging and all that stuff when we got a yard out here that’s 420 feet straight across center field?” – USA Today"

Now the Cubs batting order should look like this:

1. Schwarber, LF

2. Baez, SS

3. Bryant, 3B

4. Rizzo, 1B

5. Contreras, C

6. Castellanos, RF

7. Heyward, CF

8. Garcia, 2B

9. Pitcher

Next. 5 trade packages that make the most sense. dark

He’s hit for a ton of doubles and triples throughout his career, so it’s expected that many of these will be home runs at Wrigley where the centerfield wall is just 400 feet deep. Look for Castellanos to be placed into the 5 or 6 spot in the order which have been severely lacking this season.

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