Epstein, however, still has a year left on his contract which means that the Red Sox would have to let him out of that contract before he signed with the Cubs — or any other club. And for Boston to do such a thing, they surely demand compensation from the Cubs inthe form of players for the move.
Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Rosenbloom posed an interesting question to his readers on Thursday. He threw out the idea of "trading" young shortstop Starlin Castro in order to obtain and sign Epstein.
"Would Epstein trade Castro for himself?" Rosenbloom writes. "Presuming [Cubs owner Tom] Ricketts realizes his limitations, he makes Epstein answer the Castro question. He makes Epstein negotiate that one. He makes Epstein decide whether he thinks the Cubs win a deal in which he trades his new team's best young player for himself."
If nothing else, it's an interesting scenario in which the Red Sox would have to move on at the GM position, but would also be coming away with a prospect that does have a ton of potential.
Castro, despite a forgettable incident last season in which he was caught not paying attention before pitches were thrown, has undeniably strong physical skills. He was only 21 for the entire 2011 season, a season in which he played in 158 games and led the National League in hits. Castro also played 125 games in 2010, hitting .300 for that season.
He would instantly become the Red Sox' shortstop of the future even for an organization that already has slick-fielding prospect Jose Iglesias waiting in the wings.
Would you be in favor of a Theo Epstein-Starlin Castro trade?
