Adrian Cardenas, 24, is a guy we briefly mentioned here when he first got cut. Today the Cubs claimed him off waivers and added him to the 40 man roster. He's a former top prospect and ranked #12 on the Oakland A's top prospect list. The A's released him to sign outfielder Johnny Gomes.
Cardenas is a bat-first infielder who started as a SS but didn't have the quickness and actions to stay there. He has since moved to 2B but his best position might be LF. His bat won't carry that position, however. He hit .314/.374/.418 at AAA last season. Those numbers are right on par with his minor league averages as well.
At the plate, he's a left-handed line-drive hitter who'll hit for average. He has decent plate discipline (8.6% walk rate) but not much power. Offensively, he'd be an upgrade over Darwin Barney. Whether it's enough to offset his inferior defense remains to be seen.
There's always the possibility he beats out Barney for the 2B job, but he's much more likely to be a utility player who can play multiple positions and provide a good bat off the bench.
The Cubs made room for Cardenas by designating Blake DeWitt for assignment. They could still try to trade him, but will likely just end up releasing him. If they release him, MLB TradeRumors reports they'll be responsible for 1/6 of his salary (180K), meaning the Cubs made a slide upgrade for a younger player who could turn out to be a slight upgrade over DeWitt.
Filed under: Cubs, Transactions
I had a feeling they were going to snag this guy. I was going to ask you about him when he was released, but forgot to mention him. I like the pick up.
I did mention him in a news and notes column that you may have missed. I just went back and linked it in the article.
I like it too, but as I told a couple of readers back then, if the Oakland A's are releasing him to get a so-so OF'er in Johnny Gomes when they have no good middle infielders to speak of, it makes you wonder. Still, I like him better than Blake DeWitt and he has a slightly better chance of beating out Darwin Barney, but I still think Barney is the favorite.
Solid move. Dewitt has his shot, and never really did anything. Like the move. Low risk, high reward.
I'll call it low risk, medium reward, but I do agree. It's an upgrade over DeWitt. Cardenas has the inside track for that 2nd utility spot behind Jeff Baker.
High reward is probably not the right term. I just think this guy could develop into a useful guy, and I think Dewitt has had enough major league AB's that we know what he is - not very good.
It's a nice pickup. Save money, possible upgrade, younger player...why not? It's a good trade off for them and he could wind up playing all over the field for them. Don't think he beats out Barney because of defensive concerns but it's not out of the question down the road.
He must somehow fit the new Theo/Jed/Sveum type of player.
Lets hope their scouting reports on him bear this out
Utility guy likely. Decent bat, glove is sub-par. He's a younger, cheaper, slightly better version of DeWitt, imo.
I'm surprised they offered DeWitt a contract. Now they have to pay a few hundred grand to get rid of him.
They'll have to pay 1/6 of his salary (about 180K) according to MLB TradeRumors. Overall they saved some money since Dewitt was due to make 1.1M and Cardenas will make about 400K.
Who goes when Concepcion's added to the roster?
My guess has been Sonnanstine with the hope they can do the same thing they did with Corpas and re-sign him as a non-roster ST invitee.
Bat-first is generous with this guy. But as a bat off the bench, not a double switch option, he's an upgrade.
Agreed. Bat off the bench, maybe an occasional starter to add a lefty to the lineup.
John, How does this guy compare to some of the younger guys in the system. Does he have some of the same tools, or is this strictly a one year shot for him.
He has a couple of options left, so he does afford the Cubs some flexibility. As to where he compares, I'd put him behind Logan Watkins (#23) as far as a utility prospect because of Watkins' superior speed and defense. And Watkins still has upside to be more.
I like how every move we make is put under a microscope. Where was this microscope with past mgmt?
I wasn't writing a blog then.
Cardenas was a very good pick up. DeWitt wasn't exactly a gold glover, and he wasn't a very good hitter either.
Maybe an upgrade with the bat. The glove is pretty close. But he's younger, cheaper and maybe the Cubs see something they can salvage out of him.
I agree Cardenas is a good pickup. The Cubs lose nothing in DeWitt, who was not much of a hitter and was a mediocre fielder which equals gone in new regime.
DeWitt never really hit as well as he was supposed to. Had some decent numbers in the minors but just wasn't a good player for the Cubs at all.
Yes! We definitely lose nothing in DeWitt. Forget the signings, forget the prospects, forget everything--the Cubs are immeasurably better by just removing Koyie Hill and DeWitt. My offseason is definitely complete and I'm ready for baseball!
I guess every little bit helps!
I predict....
Blake DeWitt, a future member of the Baltimore Orioles...
So it shall pass.....
It's where ex-Cubs go to try and resurrect their careers...
or Milwaukee...they lik eex Cubs too!!