Rangers acquire INF Cantu from Marlins
July 29, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Jorge Cantu(notes) saw the light blinking on his cell phone whenhe got to his locker and knew it might finally be time. Then, he read the textmessage from his agent: He was headed for Texas.
The AL West-leading Rangers added another bat for the playoff push,acquiring Cantu from the Florida Marlins on Thursday for two minor leaguepitchers.
For Cantu, this ends more than a week of wondering whether he would bestaying or leaving at the trade deadline. Still, shaking hands and sayinggoodbye to the teammates he’s grown to love during three seasons in SouthFlorida was bittersweet.
“Deep inside I’m very sad to leave the Marlins, of course,” Cantu said.“My turn is to go right now to the Texas Rangers and help that ballclub out.They’re playing well and winning the division. I think it will be fun. Wheneveryou go to a new team it’s always fun and exciting. … There’s still two monthsto go. I know what I’m capable of doing.”
Cantu had two singles, scored twice and made an error in the Marlins’ 5-0win at San Francisco before being replaced on defense in the bottom of theeighth.
“It was finalized within 30 seconds of the last out today,” Marlinsgeneral manager Larry Beinfest said.
After Beinfest told Cantu of the trade, the infielder spoke briefly by phonewith Rangers GM Jon Daniels. Cantu is set to meet the team in Anaheim on Fridaymorning.
“This was one of the bigger holes we wanted to address,” Daniels said. “Iwould expect most of his playing time will come at first base, but you neverknow.”
Cantu hit .262 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs for Florida. He’s expected tothe right-handed part of a platoon with either rookie Mitch Moreland or ChrisDavis(notes), one of whom is likely to be sent down to clear a roster spot for Cantu.
Cantu came up as a second baseman and earlier Thursday the Rangers put theirstarter, All-Star Ian Kinsler(notes), on the disabled list. Daniels called Cantu’sversatility “an attractive footnote; it wasn’t the reason we acquired him.”
Daniels said the Rangers are picking up more than half of Cantu’s salary,which is significant because the team is bankrupt.
“We’ve had the ability to spend within our budget all along,” Danielssaid. “This does not break from that.”
This was Texas’ third trade leading up to the deadline. The Rangers also gotace Cliff Lee(notes) from Seattle and Bengie Molina(notes) from San Francisco.
Unlike many Marlins trades, this one wasn’t about dumping salary. Cantu’s 16errors were concerning for a club that has struggled on defense. He also canbecome a free agent after the season.
Despite the mixed emotions, Cantu is ready for a fresh start after all thespeculation he was on the trading block.
“I had a good feeling something was going to happen,” he said. “I reallywanted to win here for the Marlins. It is a good relief because it was lingeringaround in my head for about a week. I tried not to think about it.”
The Rangers sent Double-A right-handers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda(notes) toFlorida. Giving up two arms for a part-time player headed toward free agencyshows how serious Texas is about making the most of this season.
“Maybe in past years it would’ve been more challenging—our organizationaldepth wasn’t where it is now,” Daniels said. “But we felt it was a move wehave to make.”
Cantu’s defense has been shaky of late and the Marlins didn’t consider himpart of their long-term plans.
“Jorge has been fantastic but he is a would-be free agent,” Beinfest said.“We wanted to extract value for him now. We did not have plans to offer him acontract or arbitration this winter so we wanted to try to get value now forhim.”
Wes Helms(notes) will likely become Florida’s regular third baseman. Beinfest saidthe Marlins also want to get a long look at outfielder Logan Morrison(notes), called upTuesday when left fielder Chris Coghlan(notes) went on the disabled list.
Poveda, someone the Marlins have tried to acquire in the past, is recoveringfrom Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery but expected to be ready by springtraining. He will rehabilitate in Jupiter, Fla.
Reed will report to Double-A Jacksonville, but is someone considered on thefast track to reach the big leagues.
“Omar has a chance to start in the big leagues,” Daniels said. “Evan is agood, power arm. He might fit in the back of the bullpen one day for somebody.”
AP Sports Writers Steven Wine in Miami and Jaime Aron in Arlington, Texas,contributed to this story.
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