Cubs' Alfonso Soriano asks Starlin Castro to be circumspect after contract extension – MLB News
As the reported contract extension of the Chicago Cubs' Starlin Castro nears, the veteran Alfonso Soriano on Monday, August 27, advised the player to be smarter once the extension finalises. The $60 million contract extension for the 22-year-old player for seven years is the biggest news for him.
The shortstop has performed consistently ever since his promotion to the Major League and has been impressive enough to convince the club to extend his contract. Speaking to the media, Soriano spoke of the advice he had for Castro.
"I said to him, 'I want you to be the same person, but you have to be more smart because you're going to have a lot of people come to you,” said Soriano, the 36-year-old player representing the team.
Other than that, the veteran has advice for Castro being thrifty least he regrets losing the money fast in the years to come. But the crux was that Castro must play smartly as he will have enormous responsibility on his shoulders soon after the contract extension.
"[I told him] 'Just believe in your father and your mother, and don't forget where you come from and who gives you the money,'" Soriano said. "'Baseball gives you that money. Don't quit because you have the money.' Now is the time he has to work more because you get paid if you're a good player."
Soriano had received an eight-year deal from Chicago Cubs, worth $136 million back in 2007 when he was 32. He suggested in the interview that he was well aware of what he was supposed to do after the deal.
Avoiding extravagance and being circumspect, he spent money meticulously. But aside from the penury concerns, it was the significance of playing well and consistently that figured out prominently throughout these years.
Having played 127 games this year, Castro has retained .276 average in 507 at-bats with 12 homers to his credit. He has 63 RBIs with a .418 slugging percentage. His career average is .296, making it clear why the club decided to go ahead with this contract extension.
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