Report: Starlin Castro Is Training This Offseason In The U.S.
(CBS) Cubs infielder Starlin Castro is staying in the country this offseason to train in Tampa Bay, agent Paul Kinzer told the Chicago Tribune, a notable change after he found himself in the vicinity of two shooting incidents while spending last offseason in his native Dominican Republic.
The Cubs had encouraged and do prefer that Castro spends the offseason in the United States, and Castro has obliged. He's also considering buying a home in Tampa Bay, the Tribune reported.
Castro wasn't involved in any incident last offseason, but he twice in December found himself near shootings -- one outside a nightclub and one outside a concert. It created worries about the places and people he was hanging out with.
The Cubs signed Castro to a seven-year, $60-million deal in 2012 that keeps him under club control through 2020.
Castro, 25, had an eventful 2015 season. He lost his starting shortstop job to rookie Addison Russell in early August but responded with a really strong finish to the season and secured the everyday job at second base. He hit .265 with 11 homers, 69 RBIs and a .671 OPS in 151 games.