Ultimately, it is hard to deny the talent he has at the plate. Additionally, this season has been much improved on the field as well. With a month left in the season, Starlin is on pace to be well below his 25 error per season career average.
But the hitting talent....
It is pretty good. Pretty damn good. Even with the hiccup season, Starlin is averaging 184 hits in his first 3 full major league seasons. If he maintains that pace and plays the same number of seasons as Jeter, he would finish his career at 3,318, could for top 10 of all time.
So why the hell would we trade him?
Let us look at the current situation with our lovely North Side friends. With a clear turn for the better coming sooner than skeptics believed (CoughNOTMECough), there is valor in shopping a bit. The Cubs picked up future stud Addison Russell from the A's, who looks like a natural at Short. Starlin is playing way above his contract value, since he signed a very friendly deal not to long in the past. With this deal and additional team control on the table, the Cubs can get good return. Additionally, with teams like the Mets loaded with young pitching AND hungry for a shortstop. Seems like a natural fit.
For the right return, the Cubs should keep there ears open, but maybe the projection of the Hall ringing will be enough music to calm the front office. For now.
