Jorge Cantu Rumors

Giants Closing In On Renteria, Talking Cantu Trade

4:49pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Giants asked the Brewers about J.J. Hardy, but Milwaukee doesn't want to move him. So Brian Sabean moved on to Cantu. 4:12pm: Brian Sabean told reporters he hopes to sign a free agent infielder later this week. 3:42pm: Jon Heyman chimes in; he also thinks a two-year deal could be completed soon. Heyman says the Giants have yet to decide whether to target C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, or Manny Ramirez. Are we seeing a shift back to the win-now plan in San Francisco? 1:53pm: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick talked to Renteria's agent Barry Meister, who...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: La Russa, Offseason Moves

John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up. Here's the highlights from the Rumors and Rumblings section (with some added speculation here and there from yours truly): There's a growing rumor that Cardinals manager Tony La Russa could step down after this season and pursue a job as a general manager. We all know Seattle's looking... The Diamondbacks love Adam Dunn's production so much that they are considering re-signing him and possibly having him play first base. Dunn's racked up a .474 OBP since coming to Arizona... what's not to like about that? The Padres seem...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up. Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry's contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for '09. If the new Cubs ownership doesn't want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter. Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry's trade history. Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market. Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest. Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still...   Continue Reading

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Many Marlins Due Raises

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel discusses the Marlins' difficult situation this winter, with as many as 18 players facing arbitration. Berardino projects salaries for these players in this chart. As you may know, players typically reach arbitration the offseason after they cross the three-year service time mark. The resulting raise can be as much as 1000%, with Ryan Howard's case last year the most drastic example ($900K in '07, $10MM in '08). The Marlins' biggest jump figures to be second baseman Dan Uggla - $417K in 08, perhaps $5MM or more in '09. Most players face arbitration three...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Cameron, Inge, Bay

Here are some random rumors and links I've cobbled together today. The Fish officially signed Jorge Cantu to a minor-league deal worth $500K with $100K in incentives. The Cardinals re-upped Aaron Miles for $1.4 mil. This team needs some good middle infielders. According to Tyler Kepner, Alex Rodriguez has been "privately endorsing" Mike Cameron. Well, it's not private anymore! The Yankees could entertain such a signing if they trade Melky Cabrera but don't want to move Johnny Damon back to center. Kepner's article also discusses the internal struggle between Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. Hank wants Johan Santana, Hal wants to..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Cantu, McPherson, Youkilis

Some evening odds and ends for your enjoyment... The Marlins are "pretty far along" on a deal with Jorge Cantu. He'd battle with Jose Castillo for playing time at third base. Dallas McPherson may be another possibility - he had talks with another club (the Giants?) recently fall through. The Fish are one of three or four clubs McPherson likes, though he's not sure whether the interest is mutual. I hope the Marlins sign 'em both, maybe one of the three works out. Nick Cafardo discusses the slight possibility that the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis discuss a long-term extension..   Continue Reading

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Dontrelle For Josh Hamilton Was Discussed

UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 2:47am: More excitement...throw Abraham Nunez into the mix of Marlins third base targets. This team is going places. FROM 12-7-07 at 11:27am: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro posted a new column last night full of good Marlins hot stove chatter. The most interesting note is that the Marlins talked to the Reds about swapping Dontrelle Willis for Josh Hamilton, prior to the blockbuster with Detroit. With Miguel Cabrera, the White Sox and Rangers were involved during the Meetings before the Tigers jumped in. The Rangers backed out when they couldn't get an extension window for Cabrera. The Tigers wanted..   Continue Reading

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Marlins Considering Helms, Cantu

MLB.com's Jim Molony reports that the Marlins are considering Wes Helms and Jorge Cantu as candidates for their now-vacant third base job. Helms had a career year in 2006 for the Marlins, hitting .329/.390/.575 while seeing a disproportionate amount of southpaws. The Phils then wishcasted him as a starter and gave him two years and $5.45MM. Helms has $2.15MM left on his contract plus a $750K buyout. Cantu was recently cut by the Reds; his claim to fame is driving in 117 runs for the 2005 Devil Rays. He turns 26 in January; perhaps his career can be revived in..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Guillen, Crede, Hamilton, Boone

Rounding up some of the day's random rumors and tidbits... Jose Guillen might get a light suspension for his exploits. There was a report that the Brewers were close to obtaining Joe Crede, but it was published last night. The BBWAA approved a new resolution for 2013. Any player with a contract provision linked to a major award of theirs will not be considered for that award. Makes sense - to repeat Curt Schilling's situation. Curt Schilling could get a million bucks by netting one Cy Young vote in 2008. The BBWAA would rather preserve its right to have members..   Continue Reading

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Reds Acquire Jorge Cantu

In a minor move, the Reds acquired infielder Jorge Cantu today along with outfielder Shaun Cumberland. They shipped pitchers Calvin Medlock and Brian Shackelford to the Devil Rays in the deal. The Reds are doing the right thing by sending the 24 year-old Cantu to Triple A to re-establish himself. Yes, he once drove in 117 runs and blah blah blah. The power potential is nice; he now needs to keep his head down, maybe learn a little plate discipline, and hit his way into the Reds' lineup. There's no infield spot for him, unless Wayne Krivsky foolishly trades Edwin..   Continue Reading

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Cantu On His Way Out Of Tampa Bay?

Jorge Cantu seems to want out of Tampa Bay; he's dissatisfied with his lack of playing time this year. He was recently designated for assigment to Durham again. Most likely, the only reason he's still in the organization is that Andrew Friedman couldn't get anything useful for him via trade. 117 RBIs just don't have the pull they did in the past. But even if he doesn't really have a position and doesn't draw walks, there should be at least a little interest in a 25 year-old with good power. Cantu slugged .497 with 28 HR in 2005; he still..   Continue Reading

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Rockies Inquire About Cantu

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the Rockies as a possible fit for Jorge Cantu in a Let's Make A Deal post. Turns out they really were interested, inquiring about him sometime before Sunday. The question remains - would the Rox really pair rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki with Cantu? Playing alongside one of the worst defensive second basemen in the game wouldn't seem likely to help Tulo's development. Clint Hurdle is dedicated to Tulowitzki despite a slow start (.191/.296/.234 in 47 ABs). Cantu is hitting .250/.302/.354 with zero home runs in 48 ABs in Triple A. He's batting cleanup..   Continue Reading

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Let's Make A Deal: Jorge Cantu

Jorge Cantu DH'd for Triple A Durham last night, though his agent still refers to him as "an experienced second baseman with a power bat." Cantu, of course, would prefer to be traded to a team that would let him start in the big leagues again. Which teams could use a second baseman? There's the Braves, if you don't believe in Kelly Johnson. Personally, I do. Ditto for the Mets and Jose Valentin, who I also think is at least as good as Cantu. There really aren't any perfect fits for the guy. The Rockies seem reasonable, though they have..   Continue Reading

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Cantu to Durham Confirmed

Confirming what Buster Olney heard a few days ago, infielder Jorge Cantu will report to AAA Durham in time for Thursday's season opener. But that's not to say he wouldn't prefer to be traded. "I'm not a minor league player," said Cantu. That's all well and good, but Cantu does not have enough service time or the type of contract that would force the Devil Rays to trade him. Even in 2005, when Cantu was at the height of his powers, he did not get on base at a good rate, rarely taking walks. With the young position player talent..   Continue Reading

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Cantu Off To Durham

According to Buster Olney in his blog today: "Heard last night, by the way, that Jorge Cantu will swallow his frustration with being sent to Triple-A and head to Durham, rather than walk away, something he had initially talked about doing. He really doesn't have a choice." Cantu is just going to have to put his head down and put up some big numbers in Triple A to earn a trade back into a full-time job. Last time he was in Triple A, he hit .302/.335/.576 with 22 HR in 368 ABs. The 25 year-old might be able to help..   Continue Reading

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Cantu Asks For Trade

Former 117 RBI man Jorge Cantu doesn't view himself as a Triple A player, and has asked for a trade. Unfortunately for him that request carries no weight. The Devil Rays have decided to again sacrifice defense at second base, but this time at the hands of B.J. Upton. At the least, this pleases fantasy baseball geeks. Cantu, who I should mention once drove in 117 runs, saw his slugging slip from .497 to .404 last year. He played in the WBC for Mexico and things went downhill from there. He fouled a ball off his foot and broke a..   Continue Reading

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Yankees Won't Renegotiate With A-Rod

In case you missed Jon Heyman's scoop yesterday: Brian Cashman won't renegotiate Alex Rodriguez's contract after this season. I imagine he went public with it in attempt to put the onus back on A-Rod when he leaves after the season. For once, Rodriguez is not biting and won't discuss it further with the media. Heyman reiterates that Rodriguez will not consent to a trade if the Yankees are in contention. Other notes from the column: Out of all the relievers on the market, Jorge Julio seems the most likely to be dealt. Heyman thinks John Smoltz is done with team-friendly..   Continue Reading

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