Cubs address third base need, acquire utilityman Willi Castro from Twins

The Chicago Cubs needed to address third base and their bench.

They did just that by making a trade with the Minnesota Twins involving a utilityman.

The Cubs have acquired Willi Castro from the Twins in exchange for prospects, per Jon Heyman.

Chicago has been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball this season, but the team needed third base depth.

Rookie Matt Shaw has turned a corner since the All-Star break, but this small sample size wasn’t enough for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer to not address the position.

Castro, 28, was an All-Star last year and has had a solid season with Minnesota.

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He has 10 home runs and 27 RBI while slashing .245/.335/.407 in 86 games this season. He can play pretty much anywhere on the field, giving manager Craig Counsell positional versatility.

Though the Cubs desperately need a starting pitcher, adding a guy like Castro helps the Cubs continue to compete with the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.

Castro stole 33 bases in 2023 and can play many roles for the Cubs.

He is a rental, as he is expected to hit free agency after this season.

Expect Chicago to make a run at a starting pitcher in the final minutes of the trade deadline.

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