When the Cubs brought up Travis Wood to spot start for Matt Garza, the latest Cub to catch the locker room flu bug, the Cubs designated for assignment Blake DeWitt.
As stated in the earlier post, there is a market for veterans who can play third base. Numerous injuries on multiple teams who want to contend bring even Cub talent in play in the trade market.
A DFA is a contractual device for a team to take a player off their 25 man roster, but retain his rights for 10 days or so. In that time period, the club can put him through waivers or try to trade him. When a team goes DFA to create roster space, it is a clear signal that this player is available.
DeWitt was the odd utility man out at the end of spring training, went to the minors briefly, then returned as an early season Sveum favorite. But now, he could be moving to the Giants, Phils or Rays for low level prospects.
Showing posts with label DeWitt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DeWitt. Show all posts
May 7, 2012
May 5, 2012
WHOSE ON THIRD?
There is a sudden demand for major league third basemen. ESPN's Jason Stark reports that the Rays and the Giants are looking for third basemen to replace injured stars Evan Longoria and Pablo Sandoval. Stark states that he believes the Rays are looking for more of a utility player they can use after Longoria returns. Also, the Phillies are in the market to replace Placido Polanco, who is at the end of his career.
A few names in the discount trade bin are Baltimore's Mark Reynolds, a power hitting strike out machine, and Minnesota's Danny Valencia.
This early in the season, teams with major injuries are not necessarily looking to permanently replace their fallen stars, but pick up salvageable journeymen who can plug the gap until the return of the regular.
Again, this type of news should have the Cubs GM Hoyer on the horn to make deals for prospects or other major leaguers to fill the holes in the current North Side roster.
Example, who would have thought that ex-Cardinal Joe Mather would have more HRs than ex-Cardinal Albert Pujols? Mather's stock is peaking right now. He can play LF, RF, 3B and 1B. But on most teams, including the Cubs, he is the 4th outfielder. Mather would be a good bargaining chip in a trade right now, especially to the Rays who are looking for a multi-positional player in return.
Blake DeWitt also fills that utility role. He can play third, second and outfield. And he is a left handed bat.
Jeff Baker is the same type player, only he bats from the right side. Ian Stewart has been a disappointment at third for the Cubs. He lacks the power and average that was promised when the Cubs got him from the Rockies. Stewart is not the Cubs long term answer at third. The Cubs have a roster loaded with utility journeymen candidates. Since the Cubs are going no where but hovering around the cellar this season, there is no reason to hang on to these players who are not important foundational pieces in the rebuilding for 2014.
A few names in the discount trade bin are Baltimore's Mark Reynolds, a power hitting strike out machine, and Minnesota's Danny Valencia.
This early in the season, teams with major injuries are not necessarily looking to permanently replace their fallen stars, but pick up salvageable journeymen who can plug the gap until the return of the regular.
Again, this type of news should have the Cubs GM Hoyer on the horn to make deals for prospects or other major leaguers to fill the holes in the current North Side roster.
Example, who would have thought that ex-Cardinal Joe Mather would have more HRs than ex-Cardinal Albert Pujols? Mather's stock is peaking right now. He can play LF, RF, 3B and 1B. But on most teams, including the Cubs, he is the 4th outfielder. Mather would be a good bargaining chip in a trade right now, especially to the Rays who are looking for a multi-positional player in return.
Blake DeWitt also fills that utility role. He can play third, second and outfield. And he is a left handed bat.
Jeff Baker is the same type player, only he bats from the right side. Ian Stewart has been a disappointment at third for the Cubs. He lacks the power and average that was promised when the Cubs got him from the Rockies. Stewart is not the Cubs long term answer at third. The Cubs have a roster loaded with utility journeymen candidates. Since the Cubs are going no where but hovering around the cellar this season, there is no reason to hang on to these players who are not important foundational pieces in the rebuilding for 2014.
February 6, 2012
SECOND BASE HOLE FILLED?
Chicago Cubs press release:
"CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today claimed infielder Adrian Cardenas off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, infielder Blake DeWitt was designated for assignment.
Cardenas, 24, batted .314 (154-for-491) with 28 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 70 runs scored, 51 RBI and a .374 on-base percentage in 127 games with Triple-A Sacramento last year. The left-handed batter and right-handed thrower ranked eighth in the Pacific Coast League with 154 hits and posted his highest batting average in his five full professional campaigns.
In 2011, Cardenas saw action at second base (35 games), shortstop (three games), third base (13 games) and left field (44 games), his first professional experience in the outfield. He has primarily played second base (361 games) in his professional career.
Cardenas was originally selected by Philadelphia in the supplemental round (37th overall) of the 2006 Draft and acquired by Oakland as part of the trade that sent Joe Blanton to the Phillies on July 17, 2008. In 643 minor league games, Cardenas is a career .303 hitter (749-for-2,475) with 143 doubles, 21 triples, 29 home runs, 77 stolen bases and a .368 on-base percentage.
DeWitt, 26, batted .265 (61-for-230) with 11 doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI in 121 games with the Cubs last year, his first full season with the club after being acquired from the Dodgers on July 31, 2010. He is a career .260 hitter (283-for-1,087) in 404 major league games with the Dodgers (2008-10) and the Cubs (2010-present)."
Cardenas defense at AAA:
SS 3 games, 1.000 percent
2B 35 games, .978
3B 13 games, .886
LF 44 games, .974
Cardenas is 2 years younger, and will make the league minimum vs. DeWitt's $1.1 million. If Cardenas is signed to be a utility bench player, then this move is a salary dump if DeWitt is claimed on waivers. The Cubs have 10 days in which to decide to put DeWitt back on the 40 man roster (moving another player off), or put him on waivers or release him (and pay his salary less what another team will pay, the minimum). If the move is to try to unseat Barney at second base (or platoon lefty-righty), then we will have to see what happens in spring training.
"CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today claimed infielder Adrian Cardenas off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. In a corresponding 40-man roster move, infielder Blake DeWitt was designated for assignment.
Cardenas, 24, batted .314 (154-for-491) with 28 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 70 runs scored, 51 RBI and a .374 on-base percentage in 127 games with Triple-A Sacramento last year. The left-handed batter and right-handed thrower ranked eighth in the Pacific Coast League with 154 hits and posted his highest batting average in his five full professional campaigns.
In 2011, Cardenas saw action at second base (35 games), shortstop (three games), third base (13 games) and left field (44 games), his first professional experience in the outfield. He has primarily played second base (361 games) in his professional career.
Cardenas was originally selected by Philadelphia in the supplemental round (37th overall) of the 2006 Draft and acquired by Oakland as part of the trade that sent Joe Blanton to the Phillies on July 17, 2008. In 643 minor league games, Cardenas is a career .303 hitter (749-for-2,475) with 143 doubles, 21 triples, 29 home runs, 77 stolen bases and a .368 on-base percentage.
DeWitt, 26, batted .265 (61-for-230) with 11 doubles, five home runs and 26 RBI in 121 games with the Cubs last year, his first full season with the club after being acquired from the Dodgers on July 31, 2010. He is a career .260 hitter (283-for-1,087) in 404 major league games with the Dodgers (2008-10) and the Cubs (2010-present)."
Cardenas defense at AAA:
SS 3 games, 1.000 percent
2B 35 games, .978
3B 13 games, .886
LF 44 games, .974
Cardenas is 2 years younger, and will make the league minimum vs. DeWitt's $1.1 million. If Cardenas is signed to be a utility bench player, then this move is a salary dump if DeWitt is claimed on waivers. The Cubs have 10 days in which to decide to put DeWitt back on the 40 man roster (moving another player off), or put him on waivers or release him (and pay his salary less what another team will pay, the minimum). If the move is to try to unseat Barney at second base (or platoon lefty-righty), then we will have to see what happens in spring training.
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