Nov. 06--The Tribune will be doing position-by-position analysis for the 2015 Cubs. Today, we look at second base.
2015 statistics
Starlin Castro: .265 batting average, 11 home runs, 69 RBIs, .296 on-base percentage
Javier Baez: .289 batting average, one home run, four RBIs, .325 on-base percentage. At Triple-A Iowa: .324 batting average, 13 home runs, 61 RBIs, .385 on-base percentage
Tommy La Stella: .269 batting average, one home run, 11 RBIs, .324 on-base percentage
Jonathan Herrera: .230 batting average, two home runs, 14 RBIs, .242 on-base percentage.
Contract status for 2016
Castro: signed through 2019
Baez: under team control
La Stella: under team control
Herrera: arbitration eligible
Breakdown
Since Darwin Barney was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in late July of 2014, the Chicago Cubs' second baseman of the future has ranged from Arismendy Alcantara to Javier Baez to Addison Russell.
That list doesn't include Tommy La Stella, who offers a compact left-handed stroke and a knack for working deep counts, and Starlin Castro, whose September renaissance helped vault the Cubs to a playoff berth after losing the starting shortstop job he held for 5 1/2 seasons.
A logjam started to break up when Baez was optioned to Triple-A Iowa at the end of spring training for more seasoning, and Castro's struggles in the field (along with a lack of clutch hitting) necessitated a switch of Russell to shortstop -- his natural position.
But there is a glut of infielders -- particularly at second base, where Castro made an impressive transition in a short time, Baez displayed better plate discipline during a September promotion, and La Stella showed the ability to hit to all fields and become an impressive left-handed pinch-hitter.
It's obvious the Cubs need starting pitching depth, and the infielders will be scrutinized as trade fodder (unless one of them moves to the outfield to replace another potential trade candidate -- Jorge Soler).
Castro, 25, presents an intriguing situation because he batted .353 with 23 RBIs in his final 47 games after he lost his starting shortstop job and hit a National League-leading .369 in September and October.
Castro will be owed $38 million over the next four seasons, which would give infield-needy teams some cost certainty. The San Diego Padres are among the teams seeking a shortstop, but a scouting source said the Padres had limited interest in Castro, and his 18 errors in 109 games at short fuel some concern.
Although Castro hasn't produced the power or speed that he did earlier in his career, he's only 25. And his late surge (which came after reverting to a batting stance he employed earlier in his career) could suggest that he's finally turned the corner.
Castro's stock, however, never might be as high as it is now.
As for Baez, the improvements since spring training were noticeable once he returned to the majors in September. Baez cut down on the number of times he would swing ferociously and miss on pitches. He drove the ball to the opposite field with authority and with more frequency. And he arguably is the Cubs' best defensive infielder, with his arm strength giving him the edge.
But the Cubs must be convinced that Baez's 7 1/2 weeks in the majors (which included four starts at shortstop in the National League Championship Series) represent enough of a sample size that he's ready to stay in the majors for good.
A right rib cage injury prevented La Stella, 26, from helping the Cubs shore up their situational hitting over an extended period. Nevertheless, La Stella batted .333 (8-for-24) with runners in scoring position and was 6-for-16 as a pinch-hitter. His .404 on-base percentage during his minor league career cannot be overlooked.
Although La Stella doesn't possess the same range as Castro or Baez, he can play second base adequately and adjusted to third during the few times he spelled Kris Bryant.
As for the switch-hitting Alcantara, 24, he could benefit from a change of scenery. A 2-for-26 start resulted in a demotion to Iowa three weeks into the season, and he struck out 125 times in addition to a .231 batting average. Alcantara is batting .208 in his first 48 at-bats for Licey in the Dominican Winter League.
With Jake Arrieta in line for a substantial raise through the arbitration process, the Cubs could look to the trade market to acquire a starting pitcher who won't be eligible for free agency for at least two seasons instead of investing solely in the free agent market.
That return could be based largely on whom they trade -- especially if it's a second baseman.
