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Judgment Day For Cantu

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 3:27 PM EDT Comment 26 comments

Well today is the day that Jorge Cantu must report to AAA Durham or else be called 'AWOL'. It's believed he will indeed lower his head and grind a few weeks in the minors out hoping to earn his way back into the big leagues, not just the Rays.

If Cantu can get off to a hot start perhaps the team could flip him to the Brewers where Jose Capellan has asked for a trade, or perhaps Minnesota would flip a reliever for Jorge if Luis Castillo, Jeff Cirillo, and Nick Punto aren't getting the job done at 3B/2B. That or of course Brad Lidge could continue to lower his value by blowing saves in Houston.

Update [2007-4-3 20:55:16 by R.J. Anderson]:It looks like Cantu will indeed report, that according to Marc Topkin.

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

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Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

he seems like he would fit in well in atlanta.

i'm from minnesota, and i'm not sure it makes me any more informed but it doesn't seem like the twins would want him. i know they did, before they traded for castillo, but they're flooded with boring infielders.

by god allah star on Apr 3, 2007 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

The problem is not only Minny. Milwaukee is loaded with IF's, and is starting a young Rickie Weeks, and Houston already has 2 2B's (Biggio and Loretta) with another playing CF (Burke).

Had Cantu gotten some play at 1B in spring he might be more moveable, but the Rays had so many guys getting time there (what was the point of having both Pena and Choi?) there weren't enough innings. I just think his trade value is at a low point, and nobody needs a 2B. Hopefully he knows that too and gets it together. Frankly it's a more important issue for him than for the Rays - his career's on the line. But guys have made it back from the Mexican league before (see C Jake in Major League), so maybe he'll stay home and take that approach. He seemed pretty pissed.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 3, 2007 5:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Perhaps if the Mets feel uncomfortable with Valentin later on in the season.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Funny - that's exactly what I was thinking. But with their pitching staff in disarray there's little near term help there. Guess it's wait and see.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 3, 2007 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

I doubt the mets would be interested. Willie has preached about defense first ever since he got there, plus 2b Ruben Gotay played very well in ST in the event that Valentin sustains an injury or just doesn't perform well

by JScott on Apr 3, 2007 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Whatever happened to Anderson Hernandez?

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

he was injured last year and played terribly,
don't see why he couldn't bounce back and find a spot in NY.

by god allah star on Apr 3, 2007 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Cantu is no longer considered a 2B by the Rays, and probably not anyone else for that matter. He's been the worst defensive 2B for a couple years now, and is not hitting enough to justify running him out there. If/when he gets traded, he'll be either a 1B, 3B, or DH for a team. But more than likely he ends up being a journeyman/back-up for the rest of his career, unless he learns to take a pitch.

by Tyler on Apr 3, 2007 5:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

I wonder if the Rays are hoping they can get him to Durham and work him at 1B for a while, maybe see if he gets his stroke back. A guy that hits 28 HR at age 23 has to have some ability. I commented a few days back that it might be in everyone's interest for him to spend half the season in the minors. If he doesn't play half the season in the majors, his arb eligibility will be pushed back to '09. Would give the Rays more time at less $ risk to hang with him. Seems to me he could possibly rebound, be a cheaper version of Wiggy. Or best case, be the 1B - he's still young, has shown power, and the defensive requirements shouldn't be beyond him.

While that approach might not please Jorge or his agent, he's clearly at a career juncture here. A step back could be good for all involved. The only way for Jorge to make himself desireable to someone is playing well.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 3, 2007 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Cantu reminds me of Tony Batista and expect his career will follow the same path.

If the Rays ditch him now, it would be for absolutely nothing in return, so there is no incentive to make a move. There aren't enough spots in the lineup even without Cantu on the roster(what a problem!), so sitting on the bench in the majors won't help anyone either.

So I guess the strategy/hope is he goes down to Durham, puts up gawdy numbers and someone bites.

by RATW on Apr 3, 2007 6:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

You know, that's a pretty darn good comparison actually. Batista was a SS / 2B type until he turned about 25/26 and then became a 3B/DH full time. The numbers are pretty reasonable as well.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Later in his career I think Batista's strategy at the plate was to take a hack and see how far you could hit it.

by SeanDubbs on Apr 3, 2007 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

This is also my strategy.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Then I would recommend you grab a BR1 from www.maxbats.com

Thin handle and large barrel for great torque. Just don't get jammed!

by SeanDubbs on Apr 3, 2007 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

I've given this some though, and if I were in the majors, I'd likely take a load of pitches, not because I was being picky, but because I probably couldn't hit most of their pitches.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Just think of all the money you'd save on bats!

by SeanDubbs on Apr 3, 2007 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

In other words, I wouldn't have 100 pairs of gloves for 100 SBs, a la Willie Mays Hayes.

Or I wouldn't have 3,000 bats for 3,000 hits...if that makes any sense.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In other words

Jonny Gomes' hitting strategy

by Brickhaus on Apr 4, 2007 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

I see what your getting at. In the league that I play in whenever I go up against a former major leaguer I go up there hacking. I'm 1 for 2 in my career against Daunte Bichette!

by SeanDubbs on Apr 3, 2007 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Very nice!

The person I'd least like to face?

Rick Ankiel, I know, I know, but he's throwing them and doesn't even know where they'll go, no thanks.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

I've faced a few ex-major leaguers and a ton of ex-minor leaguers. I've yet to take a former major leaguer deep, but I'll get one out before I die. I'm usually good for two a season and I'll just have to go with the R.J. Anderson approach to hitting against everyone until I have a former major leaguer on the hill.

by SeanDubbs on Apr 3, 2007 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...you know what they say about my way....

That's the approach that gets results!

As an exec type, I'm quite OBP / take pitches orientated, and I would do the same against players at the same talent level, but facing a MLBer or one just barely removed? Hacking time.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Back to Cantu, is Harris and Wigginton enough depth should Upton go down with an injury? I wouldn't mind being able to hold onto Cantu just in case. Like RATW said, its not like a team is going to trade for Cantu right now, at least not offering anything of value.

If he seeks vengence on the Rays by crushing AAA pitching for a while, maybe he can play himself back into a reasonable backup.

by JWallace on Apr 3, 2007 10:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Well the 2B depth chart is likely

Upton
Wigginton
Harris
Iwamura

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

Plus won't Elliot Johnson be at Durham this season? I think he DH's, plays 1B against some lefties. 2B with EJ and 3B with Guzman seem pretty occupado (a little Espanol for Jorge there). SS (LOL)? No already got a Jorge (Velandia) there. Maybe he can try some OF.

And Anderson Hernandez is still in the Mets org. & on the 40 man, but Gotay got removed so they might not see him as piece.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 3, 2007 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Judgment Day For Cantu

I believe Cantu will DH, especially with Bankston playing 1B, and Pena on the MLB roster.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 3, 2007 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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