Rockies Sign Jorge Cantu

The Rockies took a momentary break from the Ubaldo Jimenez sweepstakes yesterday in order to sign veteran infielder Jorge Cantu to a minor league contract, according to Hector Bencomo at the Mexican magazine Puro Béisbol (link in Spanish). Bencomo reports that Cantu will head to a Triple-A affiliate but could earn the chance to start at third base for the Rockies, adding that the signing is "without a doubt" connected to the presence of another longtime Colorado infielder of Mexican descent, Vinny Castilla, as an adviser in the Rockies front office.

Cantu, 30, was released by the Padres in June after batting .194/.232/.285 in 155 plate appearances, splitting time mainly between third and first base. He was a legitimate source of power for the Marlins as recently as 2009, but struggled both in Florida and in Texas in 2010. In his career, he has a .261/.286/.391 line at Coors Field, nothing Castilla-like, but a step up from the .221/.273/.368 put up by Rockies third basemen this season. Ty Wigginton has been getting starts most recently at the hot corner for Colorado, after Ian Stewart faltered in his most recent promotion.

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