MESA, Ariz. – The Cubs are convinced Starlin Castro can hit. They showed that much when they signed their All-Star shortstop to a seven-year, $60 million contract last summer.

The big question for the 23-year-old Castro to answer as he enters his fourth season in the major leagues is whether he can cut down on his errors and headline-making mental lapses in the field.

“I like the way he’s been going about his business defensively,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. “It’s one thing I challenged him to do: ‘Your next step now in all this is to win a Gold Glove.’ Obviously, that takes a lot of focus and hard work and being focused for 150 pitches a game and 162 games. He’s got the ability to do it. The rest is up to him.”