Cubs Pay Castro Big Bucks 8/18/12
By: Sabrina Santucci
Updated: August 19, 2012
It wasn't always clear how or even if shortstop Starlin Castro fit into Theo Epstein and the Cubs' long term plans, but now the answer is a little more clear: He's going to be in Chicago.
The Cubs signed Castro to a 7 year, $60 million extension on Saturday, locking the shortstop up until he's 29. The deal will pay Castro an average of $8.57 million over the course of the deal, a relative bargin for an All-Star shortstop.
However, due to baseball's collective bargaining agreement, young players aren't eligible for unrestricted free agency until much later in their careers. The deal appears to be an efficient signing for the Cubs, but also a deal that will compensate Castro well and provide contractual stability.












