Marlins trade 3B/1B Jorge Cantu to Texas Rangers for two minor league pitchers

After many days of speculation, the Florida Marlins and Texas Rangers agreed to a deal today that sent Marlins 3B/1B Jorge Cantu to the Rangers for Double-AA minor league pitchers RHP Evan Reed and RHP Omar Poveda.

"We feel good," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We were looking for the right-handed complement at first base, and Jorge is a guy who comes in with rave reviews from around the league."

"Jorge has been fantastic but he is a would-be free agent," Marlins GM Larry Beinfest said. "We wanted to extract value for him now. We did not have plans to offer him a contract or arbitration this winter so we wanted to try to get value now for him."

Cantu, once a promising young second/third baseman for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after posting a .286 average with a 28 home runs and 117 RBIs in his first full season as a 23 year-old through 150 games in 2005, has spent parts of seven seasons with the Devil Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and Florida Marlins.

The Devil Rays had big expectations for Cantu for the 2006 season, but he was hampered by injuries, playing in only 107 games and posting a .249 average with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs. During spring training for the 2007 season, Cantu failed to make the roster and was assigned to the minor leagues to Triple-AAA. Cantu was later called up, but still struggled, posting just a .207 average, 0 home runs and 4 RBIs while playing in 25 games for Tampa. He was later traded on July 28th to the Cincinnati Reds with OF Sean Cumberland. He played in just 27 games for Cincinnati, posting a .298/1/9 while playing first, second and third base. In December he was released by the Reds.

On January 4, 2008 the Florida Marlins signed Cantu to a 1-year minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. Cantu was expected to provide the Marlins with depth at the minor league level, but quickly changed the Marlins' mindset. He was so impressive during spring training that the Marlins placed original starting third baseman Jose Castillo on waivers (he was claimed by the San Francisco Giants), opening the door for Cantu to be the starting third baseman. Cantu proved why he was named the starter. Out of nowhere, Cantu hit 29 home runs while driving in 95 RBIs and sported a .277 average. He, Hanley Ramirez, Dan Uggla, and Mike Jacobs became the first infield to have 25 or more home runs each. With Cantu set to become arbitration eligible at the end of the season and a possible free agent, the Marlins rewarded him with a 1-year, $4.5 million contract.

For the 2009 season, Cantu was shifted to first base while the newly acquired Emilio Bonifacio manned third. He played 111 games at first base and 45 at third. While his power dropped, Cantu managed a .289 average with 16 home runs and 100 RBIs for the second time in his career. He was just settling into his prime. The Marlins offered him another contract for the 2010 season worth $6 million. This season, Cantu has played 80 games at third and 40 at first, while posting a .259 average with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs. He had a 10-game RBI streak in April. A solid hitter, Cantu has been reverting to the old player he was with Tampa. For the Rangers, this is an instant upgrade over first baseman Chris Davis, who has struggled this season with a .188 average since being recalled from Triple-AAA after the trade of 1B Justin Smoak. The deal comes just a few days after "hitting-machine" second baseman Ian Kinsler was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin. Cantu should provide power and solid defense for the Rangers.

"It's a great opportunity," Cantu, 28, said. "The guys over there are playing great, and I'm just excited to join."

"Deep inside I'm very sad to leave the Marlins, of course," Cantu said. "My turn is to go right now to the Texas Rangers and help that ball club out. They're playing well and winning the division. I think it will be fun. Whenever you go to a new team it's always fun and exciting. ... There's still two months to go. I know what I'm capable of doing."

Cantu, of Mexican descent, was born in McAllen, Texas.

In return, the Marlins will receive right-handed pitchers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda.

Reed, 24, is a righy reliever who drafted in the third round of the 2007 draft by Texas. A power pitcher, he has posted a 1.62 ERA in 30 games with Double-AA Frisco this season, striking out 34 in 39.0 innings. He broke out in 2009, posting a 2.96 ERA in 44 games for Single-A+ while striking out 65 in 48.2 innings.

Poveda, 23, who was ranked the Rangers' 20th best prospect, profiles as a mid to back of the rotation starter. He's currently on the DL recovering from Tommy John surgery. In 2009, while splitting time at Rk-AA-AAA he posted an 11-6 record with a 4.10 ERA.

"Omar has a chance to start in the big leagues," Daniels said. "Evan is a good, power arm. He might fit in the back of the bullpen one day for somebody."

This is another win-win for both teams. The Rangers get an obvious upgrade at first base in Cantu and a power hitter who should thrive in Texas' ballpark.

Take this for consideration:
Jorge Cantu's season - BA of .259, OBP of .308, SLG of .408, 10 HR, and 54 RBI
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Texas first baseman this season - BA of .197, OBP of .296, SLG of .315, 8 HR, 37 RBI

Cantu is better than all Rangers' first baseman combined in every category. A tremendous trade for the Rangers and a promising trade for the Marlins. The two young pitchers, especially Poveda, are a win for a rebuilding Marlins team.