Would Jorge Cantu be worth a look?

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I have been reading about how well 1st round pick Evan Longoria has been doing in the D'Rays system. He is already in double A and moving up the ranks very quickly considering he was just in this year's draft.

 

This leaves the D'Rays with a nice dilemma. A plethora of position players. It seems that the D"Rays will be moving Longoria to 2b since Upton is not the defensive wizard and is best suited for 3b.

 

If Longoria is moved to 2b then that leaves Jorge' Cantu out in the cold. The D'Rays would most likely deal him in the offseason.

 

Would Cantu be someone the Cubs might want to take a look at? Is Ronny Cedeno the answer at 2b or will he be part of trade in the offseason? Theriot will only get a chance if Baker is gone and even then is he the answer? Unfortunately, the Theriot question cannot be answered with Baker managing the remainder of this season.

 

Cantu would provide some power numbers that the Cubs will need unless they are planning to sign some big bats in the off season. He is young and could make a mid infield with Izturis look a lot better from an offensive stand point.

 

He would be cheap in terms of salary. However, I'm not sure what the D'Rays would want in trade. I'm assuming they would strictly be looking at pitching considering the amount of good young position players they have.

 

Once again the Cubs would most likely have to send pitching to Florida, but this time the other Florida team(ie not the Marlins) which is a scary thought, but it might be worth it since he wouldn't command the value that Juan Pierre did.

 

Any thoughts on this.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I think he would be worth a look. But seeing as Hendry is focus on Cedeno being the 2b next yr (with Fontenot and The Riot right behind him), I don't see Hendry going after Cantu.

 

And the ONLY way I see him going after Cantu, it would be as a backup plan for losing ARam.

[CuseCubFan69]

That's the guy I would target. I don't see any impact bats that the Cubs can get for the OF and if the Cubs can get a solid hitter at second I think it would help with the power and OBP problem. If Hendry got Wells and Cantu while signing a quality starter I think this team could win. Granted, all bets are off if Baker is the manager.

 

Murton LF

Cantu 2B

Lee 1B

Wells CF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Jones RF

Izturis SS

 

I might switch Cantu and Barretts slots depending on what I see from Cantu. I also see Ramirez leaving though so this would screw this all up. If Ramirez did tell Hendry he isn't coming back I'll be quite angry at Hendry for not moving him before the deadline.

[Warpticon]

That's the guy I would target. I don't see any impact bats that the Cubs can get for the OF and if the Cubs can get a solid hitter at second I think it would help with the power and OBP problem. If Hendry got Wells and Cantu while signing a quality starter I think this team could win. Granted, all bets are off if Baker is the manager.

 

Murton LF

Cantu 2B

Lee 1B

Wells CF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Jones RF

Izturis SS

 

I might switch Cantu and Barretts slots depending on what I see from Cantu. I also see Ramirez leaving though so this would screw this all up. If Ramirez did tell Hendry he isn't coming back I'll be quite angry at Hendry for not moving him before the deadline.

 

Cantu has no business in the world batting #2.

[CuseCubFan69]

That's the guy I would target. I don't see any impact bats that the Cubs can get for the OF and if the Cubs can get a solid hitter at second I think it would help with the power and OBP problem. If Hendry got Wells and Cantu while signing a quality starter I think this team could win. Granted, all bets are off if Baker is the manager.

 

Murton LF

Cantu 2B

Lee 1B

Wells CF

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Jones RF

Izturis SS

 

I might switch Cantu and Barretts slots depending on what I see from Cantu. I also see Ramirez leaving though so this would screw this all up. If Ramirez did tell Hendry he isn't coming back I'll be quite angry at Hendry for not moving him before the deadline.

 

Cantu has no business in the world batting #2.

 

That's why I said I want to see him first and added I might switch him and Barrett. How many pitches per plate apperance does he average?

[neely crenshaw]

you seem to be operating in the hendry zone..listen we have very few position players that are close to ready, right now we have 2 at 2b, why would we deal for another guy who might be ready? he might be a nice pick up but unless we deal cedeno and theriot first it would devalue bth of them. maybe if an upgrade is all we needed to get over the hump but we have so many problems, at some many places we can't afford to trade to upgrade a spot that we already have some options.

[CuseCubFan69]

you seem to be operating in the hendry zone..listen we have very few position players that are close to ready, right now we have 2 at 2b, why would we deal for another guy who might be ready? he might be a nice pick up but unless we deal cedeno and theriot first it would devalue bth of them. maybe if an upgrade is all we needed to get over the hump but we have so many problems, at some many places we can't afford to trade to upgrade a spot that we already have some options.

 

Because Hendry isn't going to fix the OF and Cantu will give the middle infield a decent bat. He is capable of hitting 3rd or 4th do you think that Theriot or Cedeno could do that?

[CoolHandLuke]

you seem to be operating in the hendry zone..listen we have very few position players that are close to ready, right now we have 2 at 2b, why would we deal for another guy who might be ready? he might be a nice pick up but unless we deal cedeno and theriot first it would devalue bth of them. maybe if an upgrade is all we needed to get over the hump but we have so many problems, at some many places we can't afford to trade to upgrade a spot that we already have some options.

 

Because Hendry isn't going to fix the OF and Cantu will give the middle infield a decent bat. He is capable of hitting 3rd or 4th do you think that Theriot or Cedeno could do that?

 

3rd or 4th? Have you seen his numbers this year? He has been downright awful. I know he had a decent year last year (great in the power department) but he is far from a middle of the order hitter.

[YearofDaCubs]

Good luck trying to pry Cantu from TB.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Wow, I didn't realize how craptacular Cantu's Minor League career was.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Good luck trying to pry Cantu from TB.

 

FWIW, Jim Callis of BaseballAmerica thinks Cantu might be "destined for trade". So it might not necesarily take much prying. They might be looking for bidders.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

you seem to be operating in the hendry zone..listen we have very few position players that are close to ready, right now we have 2 at 2b, why would we deal for another guy who might be ready? he might be a nice pick up but unless we deal cedeno and theriot first it would devalue bth of them. maybe if an upgrade is all we needed to get over the hump but we have so many problems, at some many places we can't afford to trade to upgrade a spot that we already have some options.

 

Can Theriot or Cedeno hit 28 HRs in 150 at bats?

 

Not that Cantu will necesarily do that again, but he did do it last year. That being said he is probably a 15-20 homers a season type of guy. It would be a definite upgrade offensively.

[Guest]

I'm of the opinion that Cantu's 2005 was a fluke. I wouldn't go after him as I'd have to overpay as a result of something that I don't think is repeatable.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

I'm of the opinion that Cantu's 2005 was a fluke. I wouldn't go after him as I'd have to overpay as a result of something that I don't think is repeatable.

 

I agree the Cubs should back off if the price is ransom, but if it is reasonable then it might worth a shot for a guy that will hit 15-20 HRs.

 

I think th 28 in 150 games was a fluke also, but he will still provide some power that the Cubs could probably use.

 

 

 

Edit to fix an error in at bats to games.

Edited August 15, 2006 by RonnieWooWooSanto

[RockTheIvy]

This has probably been posted, but what do you guys think Soriano will get this off season?

[goonys evil twin]

This has probably been posted, but what do you guys think Soriano will get this off season?

 

5/65 or higher.

[RockTheIvy]

This has probably been posted, but what do you guys think Soriano will get this off season?

 

5/65 or higher.

 

Well cross him off, then.

[neely crenshaw]

you seem to be operating in the hendry zone..listen we have very few position players that are close to ready, right now we have 2 at 2b, why would we deal for another guy who might be ready? he might be a nice pick up but unless we deal cedeno and theriot first it would devalue bth of them. maybe if an upgrade is all we needed to get over the hump but we have so many problems, at some many places we can't afford to trade to upgrade a spot that we already have some options.

 

Can Theriot or Cedeno hit 28 HRs in 150 at bats?

 

Not that Cantu will necesarily do that again, but he did do it last year. That being said he is probably a 15-20 homers a season type of guy. It would be a definite upgrade offensively.

 

my point is why upgrade at a spot that we have a chance to be solid at?

we need a whole school of upgrade...but why trade anything to bolster a strength...we only have so much to trade. not to mention that as soon as you trade for your 2nd basemen of the future..cedeno and theriot's value goes down the tubes because other teams know you don't want/need them.

i rather see us jump on a replacement future cf or pitchers.

[YearofDaCubs]

Just to clarify..Cantu last year hit 28 HRs in 150 games while having 598ABs.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Just to clarify..Cantu last year hit 28 HRs in 150 games while having 598ABs.

 

Thanks......I don't know how I made that mistake.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

you seem to be operating in the hendry zone..listen we have very few position players that are close to ready, right now we have 2 at 2b, why would we deal for another guy who might be ready? he might be a nice pick up but unless we deal cedeno and theriot first it would devalue bth of them. maybe if an upgrade is all we needed to get over the hump but we have so many problems, at some many places we can't afford to trade to upgrade a spot that we already have some options.

 

Can Theriot or Cedeno hit 28 HRs in 150 at bats?

 

Not that Cantu will necesarily do that again, but he did do it last year. That being said he is probably a 15-20 homers a season type of guy. It would be a definite upgrade offensively.

 

my point is why upgrade at a spot that we have a chance to be solid at?

we need a whole school of upgrade...but why trade anything to bolster a strength...we only have so much to trade. not to mention that as soon as you trade for your 2nd basemen of the future..cedeno and theriot's value goes down the tubes because other teams know you don't want/need them.

i rather see us jump on a replacement future cf or pitchers.

 

Second base for the Cubs is a strength?

 

I'm not sure that Cedeno/Theriot could be considered a strength.

 

How much value do Cedeno/Theriot hold? Cedeno some and Theriot close to none. Theriot's the player to be named later type of player.

[soccer10k]

Cantu and his .301 OBP this year (.313 career) can stay out of a Cubs uniform.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Cantu and his .301 OBP this year (.313 career) can stay out of a Cubs uniform.

 

It wouldn't be about obp with Cantu. He would be a player you look to for SLG%. He would hit down in the order and provide some power numbers.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Cantu and his .301 OBP this year (.313 career) can stay out of a Cubs uniform.

 

It wouldn't be about obp with Cantu. He would be a player you look to for SLG%. He would hit down in the order and provide some power numbers.

 

We already have Jacque Jones.

 

Cantu doesn't hit for that much power that his terrible OBP is made up for. Add in the fact that this team needs OBP more than slugging, that he'd cost more than his worth to acquire, and it's not worth it to pursue him.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Cantu and his .301 OBP this year (.313 career) can stay out of a Cubs uniform.

 

It wouldn't be about obp with Cantu. He would be a player you look to for SLG%. He would hit down in the order and provide some power numbers.

 

We already have Jacque Jones.

 

Cantu doesn't hit for that much power that his terrible OBP is made up for. Add in the fact that this team needs OBP more than slugging, that he'd cost more than his worth to acquire, and it's not worth it to pursue him.

 

If he hits 15-20 home runs then the power production does make up for the lower obp from a down in the order player, in my opinion. And his obp is an upgrade from Ronny Cedeno right now.