Cubs trade Starlin Castro to the Yankees

It took two years, but the New York Yankees finally filled a gaping hole at second base left by Robinson Cano. The Yankees on Tuesday acquired infielder Starlin Castro from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Adam Warren and a player to be named later.

The deal was in place and executed after the Cubs signed free agent second baseman Ben Zobrist to a four-year, $56 million deal, making Castro expendable.

Castro is owed $38 million through 2019, and it's something of an upset that the Cubs were able to deal him without picking up any salary. But Castro, who turns 26 in March, revived his career - and trade value - when he hit .353 after a move from shortstop to second base last year.

He will be an upgrade over a cast of a dozen or so the Yankees ran through the position in the two seasons since perennial All-Star Cano signed a $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. Castro is a lifetime .281 hitter who led the National League with 207 hits in 2011.

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