Cubs claim Adrian Cardenas

[Rice Cube]

Cubs Claim Adrian Cardenas: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Someone said DeWitt was DFA...will update when confirmed.

 

[Rice Cube]

Yup, post updated. Cardenas claimed, DeWitt DFA'd.

 

[bleacherbum54]

I really like this kid I have followed him for a little while the dude can rake.

 

[Rice Cube]

Adrian Cardenas Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com

Good on-base, good average, multiple positions. And he is left-handed (batting).

 

[bleacherbum54]

Adrian Cardenas Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com

Good on-base, good average, multiple positions. And he is left-handed (batting).

I was hearing we were interested in him for some time was shocked when Beane made him available.

Wonder if anyone claims Blake Dewitt?? I doubt it.


wonder if we could trade him I highly doubt it but if we could get anything it would be good return.

 

[Rice Cube]

Cardenas' defense might suck a bit. That's possibly why Billy Beane let him go.

 

[Jntg4]

Bad defense, but plays multiple positions and can hit... nice.

 

[Jntg4]

He was twice a top-100 prospect too...

 

[bleacherbum54]

He was twice a top-100 prospect too...

Ya I couldnt believe when the Phillys traded him for Joe Blanton Beane won the deal at the time. But the Phillys won the WS so it was good for both sides.

He is a good person as much as he is a good ball player he plays really hard all the time and has a really focused personality. I though he would turn into a LH Ian Kinsler with less power I am still really high on him. But I doubt he comes close to what I originally though he could be. But I could see him being a good player for us over the next few years. I could see him starting over Barney at 2B. Or being in the Mark Dersoa role and playing all over.

 

[Rice Cube]

I think Darwin Barney has the backup middle infielder spot locked up as he's still good at defense. I think the only thing going for Cardenas is that he's more patient and has a bit more power than Barney does, but he's certainly not the better defender. I guess the Cubs' scouts know what's going on though so let's see what happens.

 

[dabynsky]

I think Darwin Barney has the backup middle infielder spot locked up as he's still good at defense. I think the only thing going for Cardenas is that he's more patient and has a bit more power than Barney does, but he's certainly not the better defender. I guess the Cubs' scouts know what's going on though so let's see what happens.

I hope the Cubs feel that way, but unforunately we don't have a better 2B on the roster currently. Cardenas is certainly an interesting player, but he doesn't jive with the improve defense mantra from Theo down to Sveum.

 

[Rice Cube]

I hope the Cubs feel that way, but unforunately we don't have a better 2B on the roster currently. Cardenas is certainly an interesting player, but he doesn't jive with the improve defense mantra from Theo down to Sveum.

It's the bad defense that makes me think Barney will still claim the starting 2B job by default. But the Cubs have been bringing in random middle infield castoffs which also makes me think they'd rather use Barney as a backup if the other guys would just suck less.

 

[bleacherbum54]

I think Darwin Barney has the backup middle infielder spot locked up as he's still good at defense. I think the only thing going for Cardenas is that he's more patient and has a bit more power than Barney does, but he's certainly not the better defender. I guess the Cubs' scouts know what's going on though so let's see what happens.

Who is starting at 2B if Barney is backing up and Cardenas isnt starting?? I think it can go either way whoever plays best in ST should get the nod. I think Cardenas will get a lot of time at 2B and OF this year and if he plays well he will probably be here for awhile he will be cheap and if he proves him self a good asset. It was a smart move regardless paying Dewitt arbitration for the next few years would of been stupid he is useless on a team like ours. I think they just wanted to go younger and cheaper with a guy who could possibly be a good player. I never did like Dewitt and though we shouldn't of tendered him. But I have no problem giving him a chance just like the Cubs gave Barney a chance last year when many people said he shouldn't of got one.

 

[Rice Cube]

I don't think the Cubs had any idea that Cardenas was going to be DFA which is why they offered DeWitt arb...they probably couldn't trade DeWitt before that and didn't want to sacrifice depth, so just said "whatever" because it's not that big of a chunk of money in relative terms.

Darwin Barney is at the very least the backup MIF because he's good at defense. He is probably going to start there as well because he's the best defender at that position and unless the other guys brought in (Matt Tolbert, Cardenas, whoever else I forgot) can outhit their defensive miscues, then that's that. I think the Cubs are hoping one of them outperforms Barney so they don't have to start Barney. In spring training everyone will get a chance so here's hoping they find a better starter than Barney. Jeff Baker doesn't count because he can't hit righties well enough to stick as a starter.

 

[bleacherbum54]

I don't think the Cubs had any idea that Cardenas was going to be DFA which is why they offered DeWitt arb...they probably couldn't trade DeWitt before that and didn't want to sacrifice depth, so just said "whatever" because it's not that big of a chunk of money in relative terms.

Darwin Barney is at the very least the backup MIF because he's good at defense. He is probably going to start there as well because he's the best defender at that position and unless the other guys brought in (Matt Tolbert, Cardenas, whoever else I forgot) can outhit their defensive miscues, then that's that. I think the Cubs are hoping one of them outperforms Barney so they don't have to start Barney. In spring training everyone will get a chance so here's hoping they find a better starter than Barney. Jeff Baker doesn't count because he can't hit righties well enough to stick as a starter.

You are also forgetting Barney doesn't fit Theo's mold offensively of going deep into counts and being patient. Cardenas is a Theo type player at the plate he is very patient and takes walks he fits Theo more than you think just maybe not defensively and his defense isnt as bad as it is made out to be. At 3B he is awful at 2B or LF he is average.

 

[Rice Cube]

You are also forgetting Barney doesn't fit Theo's mold offensively of going deep into counts and being patient. Cardenas is a Theo type player at the plate he is very patient and takes walks he fits Theo more than you think just maybe not defensively and his defense isnt as bad as it is made out to be. At 3B he is awful at 2B or LF he is average.

I haven't seen him play, all I have to go on is his player page. Theo and Jed would ideally like to have players who are solid defensively and who are patient at the plate. If you put Barney and Cardenas together you might have that player

 

[dabynsky]

I haven't seen him play, all I have to go on is his player page. Theo and Jed would ideally like to have players who are solid defensively and who are patient at the plate. If you put Barney and Cardenas together you might have that player

Exactly neither player really fits the ideal for 2B, and the question is what does Theo or Sveum want to live with more (less than ideal defense or a less than ideal approach at the plate). I think we all agree that this is yet another solid move by the Cubs to improve the long term talent on the roster. I really dislike the notion of earning a job out of spring training given that the conditions players experience in spring training (talent of the competition, environment, etc.) is extremely different from what they will face in Chicago, but it will certainly be interesting to see how the 25 man roster starts to shake out in a couple months.

 

[bleacherbum54]

Exactly neither player really fits the ideal for 2B, and the question is what does Theo or Sveum want to live with more (less than ideal defense or a less than ideal approach at the plate). I think we all agree that this is yet another solid move by the Cubs to improve the long term talent on the roster. I really dislike the notion of earning a job out of spring training given that the conditions players experience in spring training (talent of the competition, environment, etc.) is extremely different from what they will face in Chicago, but it will certainly be interesting to see how the 25 man roster starts to shake out in a couple months.

actually at just 2B they are equal defenders IMO. Cardenas is just awful at 3B and LF and SS.

Cardenas has a .976 fielding % at 2B and Barney a .978 (and .971 in the minors). Barney has never been a .300 hitter neither in the minors or so far in the majors, he's a career .287 hitter in the minors and their most important part of their offense is their obp and Cardenas is much better at that. I think Cardenas ends up starting over Barney maybe not right away but eventually.

Cardenas IMO is a ideal #2 hitter he hits for good average and also will get on base and make the pitcher work to get him out while Barney IMO is a ideal utility guy. Cardenas and Barney at the plate couldnt be any different one is very patient and gets on base at all costs and Barney either hits or he doesn't get on while not making the pitcher work. He really has a great approach that I wish every Cub hitter had.

If I had to guess who would be better long term for the Cubs at 2nd base I would pick Cardenas. If he plays like he did in the minors which is likely because he has raked at every level and in every different league.

Obviously Beane knew Weeks is the future at 2B and you cant really DH a guy who doesn't hit for power as well as average. They just had no room anywhere for the guy. Cardenas has no business playing any spot besides 2B if you want your defense to be good. In short stints we can handle having him play 3B and LF but I wouldn't do it often.

I see him as being a guy who puts up 290/.355/.400 while playing good defense with not great range. The problem I see is that in 5 years he may outgrow the position and then he has no where to play.

best case scenario IMO is Placido Polanco I doubt he ever becomes that good but he is the same type of hitter.

 

[Rice Cube]

I don't think either Beane nor Epstein/Hoyer uses fielding percentage to evaluate defense, at least not completely. We'll know more after spring training when the Cubs have had a chance to evaluate things and set their roster.

 

[dabynsky]

actually at just 2B they are equal defenders IMO. Cardenas is just awful at 3B and LF and SS.

Cardenas has a .976 fielding % at 2B and Barney a .978 (and .971 in the minors). Barney has never been a .300 hitter neither in the minors or so far in the majors, he's a career .287 hitter in the minors and their most important part of their offense is their obp and Cardenas is much better at that. I think Cardenas ends up starting over Barney maybe not right away but eventually.

Cardenas IMO is a ideal #2 hitter he hits for good average and also will get on base and make the pitcher work to get him out while Barney IMO is a ideal utility guy. Cardenas and Barney at the plate couldnt be any different one is very patient and gets on base at all costs and Barney either hits or he doesn't get on while not making the pitcher work. He really has a great approach that I wish every Cub hitter had.

If I had to guess who would be better long term for the Cubs at 2nd base I would pick Cardenas. If he plays like he did in the minors which is likely because he has raked at every level and in every different league.

Obviously Beane knew Weeks is the future at 2B and you cant really DH a guy who doesn't hit for power as well as average. They just had no room anywhere for the guy. Cardenas has no business playing any spot besides 2B if you want your defense to be good. In short stints we can handle having him play 3B and LF but I wouldn't do it often.

I see him as being a guy who puts up 290/.355/.400 while playing good defense with not great range. The problem I see is that in 5 years he may outgrow the position and then he has no where to play.

best case scenario IMO is Placido Polanco I doubt he ever becomes that good but he is the same type of hitter.

Defense is one area where I defer to the scouts because defense stats that are available to most of us suck, and just about every word I have read has said that Barney is a much better defender period. I think if there weren't questions about Cardenas's ability to handle a middle infield spot defenisvely than the Cubs wouldn't have been able to get him after 14 other teams passed.