Florida Marlins Send Jorge Cantu to Texas Rangers

Here is what I wrote about the Texas Rangers back in June during my “Trade Deadline Needs” series:”

“Acquiring Lee solves the Rangers biggest need, so what else can the Rangers use? I feel they could still use a veteran backup corner or middle infielder.

"Getting someone who is capable of filling in for Ian Kinsler or Michael Young would allow Ron Washington to keep those guys fresh and more importantly, healthy.”

A little over a month later, the Rangers heeded my advice and acquired exactly what I thought they needed.

The Rangers acquired infielder Jorge Cantu from the Florida Marlins for minor league pitchers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda.

The Marlins will also pay $600,000 of the remaining $2.2 million left on Cantu’s salary.

Cantu fills two needs for the Rangers.

1. He gives them infield depth.

In his career, Cantu has played 328 games at third, 238 games at first, and 218 games at second. Granted, he plays none of them particularly well, but the Rangers didn’t acquire him for his defense.

With 2B Ian Kinsler going on the DL (there’s a shocker), Cantu should find himself playing second base at the beginning of his Rangers career.

2. He could be used in a platoon with Chris Davis

Davis is hitting just .148 against lefties this year. The Rangers could play Cantu at first against left-handed pitchers. Cantu is hitting .253 against lefties this year. Not great, but much better than Davis.

Also, if Davis continues to struggle, then Cantu could find himself full-time at first.

Cantu is hitting only .253/.308/.408 with 10 HRs this year, but I have the same theory with hitters going to Texas that I do with pitchers going to the Dodgers—they will get better.

Put Cantu in a lineup with Michael Young, Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, and Vladimir Guerrero and I am confident his numbers will improve. Good pickup by the Rangers.

Now what do the Marlins get in this trade?

Meek is a 24-year-old right-handed pitcher who has a 1.76 ERA in 41 relief innings for Double-A Frisco. He was the Rangers’ third-round pick in the 2007 Draft.

Poveda is now on the disabled list, recovering from Tommy John surgery, but was was a top-20 prospect in the Rangers’ organization according to Baseball America.

Before he was injured, Poveda had a career 4.25 ERA with a 7.9 K/9 rate in five minor league seasons.

By acquiring Lee and Cantu, you have to like what the Rangers have done at the trade deadline. They are a legit World Series contender come playoff time.

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