CHANNELVIEW, Texas -- Free-agent slugger Jorge Cantú made it known Saturday while attending the Michael Gill Benefit Ragball Tournament in Channelview, Texas, that ongoing conversations with the Houston Astros regarding a potential contract have recently ceased, thus leaving the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres as the clear-cut favorites to obtain his services.
Also, the Cleveland Indians remain an outside possibility to land the soon-to-be 29-year-old veteran first/third baseman.
Cantú, a Houston resident, hit .262 with 10 homers and 54 RBI in 97 games for the Florida Marlins last season prior to being traded to the American League-champion Texas Rangers on July 29 in exchange for minor leaguers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda.
Although he was reduced to a bench role, Cantú clinched the AL West division for Texas with a tiebreaking solo home run in the eighth inning on Sept. 25 at Oakland to lift the Rangers to a 4-3 victory and first playoff berth in 11 years.
He savored the opportunity to play in the postseason, especially the honor of taking the field in the World Series against the San Francisco Giants, despite appearing in just three combined playoff games.
“I was having a good season with the Marlins," Cantú said. “I came to Texas hopefully to keep playing every day, but I wasn’t. That was the downside to the trade, that I wasn’t playing every day. But, I did my part to help the team claim the division. And I remember the weekend I went off in Oakland and helped our team out in a big way to clinch the division.
“Being in the playoffs is second to none. It’s something that a lot of Hall of Famers and great players haven’t or still haven't experienced and a thing to be proud of. Man, I would give everything to be there every year. If you think a regular season game is a lot of excitement and pressure, you have no idea what a playoff game feels like.
"It’s out of this world to play in a playoff game.”
Cantú isn't shy to express his desire to land a starting job for 2011, and views both Atlanta and San Diego as an ideal fit due to Derrek Lee signing a one-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles and the Padres trading three-time All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez to Boston.
Furthermore, there's a possiblity at third base with the Braves depending on how six-time All-Star Chipper Jones recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee -- and it doesn't hurt that Cantú's former Marlins manager, Fredi González, and teammate, Dan Uggla, are now wearing Atlanta uniforms.
González took over at the helm this offseason for the legendary Bobby Cox, with Uggla later joining the Braves via trade, which resulted in the two-time All-Star second baseman signing a five-year, $62 million contract extension.
According to Cantú, he's disappointed in not being able to work out a deal to join the hometown Astros, yet the 2005 Tampa Bay Rays MVP couldn't be happier with his current options.
"It [Atlanta] is a possible place," Cantú said. "We've been talking to Atlanta, Houston, San Diego and Cleveland. We were really trying with Houston, but talks have just ceased with them, which is unfortunate.
"Still, San Diego is talking a lot. I like San Diego. They have a winning ballclub and had a great pitching staff last year. I wouldn't mind going over there."
Regardless of where he ends up, Cantu, who brings a boyish, youthful energy to the field, looks forward to starting the next chapter in his MLB career.
“I just want to keep training myself and prepare for the [2011] season,” he said. “I’m up for the challenge. I’m sure whatever team I land with, I’m going to help them in a big way. I can’t wait to get back to the playoffs again. I really love the competition of the game.
"If I see an obstacle in front of me, I want to take it down. When things aren’t going well, I keep playing baseball. That’s what I do; I play baseball. I don’t mess around. It doesn’t matter how rocky the ocean is because I’m bringing the ship in.
"That’s what I say all the time.”
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Comments
I'd take Cantu right now over Wallace, but not over the long-run. I remember Cantu playing second early in career. Would have taken him over Bill Hall.
Cantú, a Houston resident, hit .262 with 10 homers and 54 RBI in 97 games for the Florida Marlins last season prior to being traded to the American League-champion Texas Rangers on July 29 in exchange for minor leaguers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda
Just what we need another mediocre player who " holds great promise"
Captainspires...What position do you play? You’re probably a construction worker? Wait! a jealous fan because Jorge makes 6-million a year.
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