I think the Twins should consider targeting Starlin Castro as a potential bad contract swap. He seems to have fallen out of favor with the Cubs and is owed $7, $9, $11, $13+$1 buyout over the next 4 seasons. As recently as 2014, he was an above average player, so there is some upside behind this trade. Worst case scenario, he is an expensive utility infieldr. What do you think, Nolasco/Hughes for Castro?

Castro came on strong towards the end of the year, why would the Cubs want Nolasco? They could find plenty of takers for Castro.

Castro has the potential to be good. He has value.

 

Nolasco, not so much.

 

The Twins would have to up the offer by a considerable amount to lure Castro from the Cubbies.

Nobody wants Nolasco maybe Duensing.

Nobody wants Nolasco maybe Duensing.

We'll find out, as Duensing hits free agency this winter.

We'll find out, as Duensing hits free agency this winter.

Yep Terry will have stiff competition to sign Duensing, every team will want him to trade!

Yeah, even though Starlin Castro frustrates the heck out of me sometimes he still does have more value than Ricky Nolasco. The Cubs could do much better if they wanted to trade him.

 

What do you think, Nolasco/Hughes for Castro?

I'm all for shedding Nolasco, but why include Hughes? He had a rough year, but he's still one of the Twins' 5 best options at SP. You would also be selling low on Hughes.

Hughes for Castro has more merits as an actual trade then Nolasco for Castro, but I don't think the Cubs are going this route.  They will sign SP's with their excess $$ and trade for prospects I suspect.

Nah.  Pretty much the same player as Escobar who is just one year older than Castro but is free.

 

I'd take Miguel Montero's bad contract from the Cubs ($14M for each of his age 32 and 33 seasons) any day though

Nope bad contract swapping is a lot like sleeping with your wife's sister, its not going to be worth it in the long haul and cost you a pretty penny in the process.