Name: Adrian Cardenas
Position: Bench/Utility
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Current Age: 24
Uniform Number: 45
Who is this fucking guy?
He's a former first round pick of the Phillies (2006), who actually appeared on Baseball America's Top 100 list in 2008 (#76) and 2009 (#74). He's been bouncing back and forth between the AA and AAA levels in the Oakland system since 2008, he was DFA'd this January and the Cubs claimed him off waivers.
Yeah, but where is he ranked now?
- ScoutingBook Combine Ranking (5/8/2012): #420
- MiLB.com Season Preview: Unranked or n/a
- Scout.com/FOX Sports: Unranked or n/a
- ESPN: Unranked or n/a
- The Sporting News: Unranked or n/a
- Baseball America 2012: Unranked or n/a
- Baseball Prospectus: Unranked or n/a
Oh….
Where will he play?
More than likely he will play at second base when he sees time in the field. He can also play third or shortstop if needed, but there was a reason he was moved down the defensive spectrum. He's also played some in left field, so that is also a possibility late in games when the bench is getting thinned out.
Might he actually enjoy reading something Alvin wrote?
Possibly. Alvin's letter to Theo Epstein that explained that Lake Michigan was, in fact, a lake and not the Atlantic Ocean as if Theo was awaking from major brain surgery, was a complete waste of internet ink as far as Theo is concerned. However, it might actually be useful information for Mr. Cardenas, who seems a bit confused by his new surroundings:
Cardenas was eating dinner with Iowa outfielder Brett Jackson on Sunday night when he got the news from Iowa manager Dave Bialas. “I left there in a hurry, “ Cardenas said. “Brett paid for my meal. He said ‘Get out of here. Go call whoever you need to call.’ And I did. It’s been great so far. I didn’t realize Lake Michigan is so big."
He also momentarily talked about watching the Cubs play a World Series game in Wrigley on TV before realizing he meant the 2003 NLCS.
Why We Might Like Him:
- He's been a pretty decent hitter in the minors, putting up an overall slash line of .303/.368/.417/.785
- He doesn't strike out a ton and knows how to take a walk.
- He's not Darwin Barney. (Snarky/realistic Cubs fans only)
Why We Might Hate Him:
- His defense is reportedly not so good.
- He doesn't hit for much power either.
- He's not Darwin Barney. (Kool-Aid-drinking Cubs fans only)
If You Rearrange the Letters in His Name You Get:
RARE CANDID NASA
What Cubs Blogosphere Thinks of Him:
The broad consensus is that the Cubs dropped DeWitt in favor of a cheaper, younger, better-hitting (though less power), more versatile, slightly worse defender. On the balance, it’s easy to see why the Cubs made the move, even if Cardenas isn’t anyone who’s going to knock your socks off.
I don't think the Cubs have similar concerns with Cardenas. He's a good hitter but he's probably not going to be a star player. He doesn't play great defense or possess great speed or have 20 HR power. His only above average tool is his bat and while he can be an offensive upgrade over Darwin Barney, and certainly Blake DeWitt, it's not likely he's going to command a huge salary in the future, even if he does end up a starter. And in the small chance he does end up being that kind of player, then I'm sure the Cubs won't be disappointed anyway.
Although the move lacks excitement, that doesn’t mean it’s without significance. The Cubs are in sore need of added depth, especially up the middle on defense. Think of Cardenas as a security blanket for Dale Sveum. He’ll give the skipper flexibility with the lineup, relief for Darwin Barney and Starlin Castro, and a valuable left-handed bat as a pinch-hitter.
CAIRO projects a .284 wOBA for Cardenas. We could bump that up now that he's moved to the inferior league. Oliver projects a .310 wOBA. CAIRO projected DeWitt to have a .323 wOBA while Oliver projected .303. The Cubs probably got a bit worse in terms of projections, but they added a player with multiple options and 6 years of club control. Several of those would be at league minimum. They got rid of a player who would probably have made about $3 million over the next couple seasons. They added someone who does still have some potential to be a decent big leaguer.
Special Bonus: He's starting tonight at 2nd base and batting 8th.
I love the getting to know banner. Did you do that one? Great work.
I don’t have high expectations for Cardenas and I’m not even sure he’s better than DeWitt, but considering the money owed the two players it’s the right decision. I am at least looking forward to seeing him play. For now anyway.
mb21 wrote:
I have to do something around here to earn my gigantic OV paycheck.
I think we should all get really excited about small and/or gerrymandered samples.
/everything on fangraphs
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
What are they getting excited about now?
Hamilton just hit 2 more home runs, tying him with Kemp at 12.
I replace my iPhone 4 with the 4s yesterday and I just have to say, Siri kicks ass. If Mish gets one he can now have someone call him Batman.
No no-hitter for Dempster tonight.
@ Rice Cube:
Siri is thinking about it and wondering if I’d like to search the web for will ryan dempster throw a no-hitter tonight.
@ mb21:
I can see Mish changing Siri’s voice to Alfred Pennyworth.
@ mb21:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/carlos-zambrano-reborn-in-miami/
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/jose-altuve-is-starlin-castro/
I expect some breathless column about LaHair being the best LHB of his peer group, as proven by his VORP on days when the wind is out of the east on Thursdays, any day now.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I have no interest in reading either article. I took them off my reader awhile back and only visit them when links are posted here. I check out their stats of course, but their articles aren’t worth much anymore. Pretty sad to see that happen, but when you try to pump out the volume they do it’s inevitable.
Nice to see the opposing pitcher have to pitch around someone in the Cubs lineup. Thanks LaHair.
Oy, Soriano…that was a good changeup though.
Yikes…borderline pitch there, but nice AB by Soto.
Damn, that was a brilliant AB by Soto ruined by a shitty call. Human Element!
Dempster is just beating the shit out of the bottom of the zone.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
For what it’s worth, Gameday does defend that call…just barely.
@ Rice Cube:
In other words, by a margin it’s likely impossible for the ump to have seen.
The first three pitches to Dempster should have been all called strikes according to Gameday. Either Gameday is off, or this ump is on his own program.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I thought it was a ball though.
It could have gone either way
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
The ump’s strike zone is in quantum flux.
Robot umpires now
@ Rice Cube:
It seems so. His name is Dan Bellino. He’s a new ump with a rep for a quick hand. Six ejections last season, one already this season, all for arguing ball-strike calls. Here’s his Brooks card:
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/umpire_cards/ump_cards.php?umpire=52
@ Berselius:
Yes, please.
Dempster is playing a dangerous game with his slider.
Man, if he keeps feathering that slider up there belt-high, this Braves lineup is going to massacre him.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
If I wander blindly into traffic I will be hit by a car
@ Berselius:
This sentence is true.
BABIP smiles upon Ryan Dempster tonight.
He is damn lucky Chipper didn’t send that meatball into orbit.
Soriano doing Soriano things?
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
The first rule of Tautology Club is the first rule of Tautology Club
@ Berselius:
Hesperus is Phosphorus.
LaHair chased there. Looks like the plan on him tonight is away, away, away.
@ Berselius:
Nice catch
Holy crap, a Soriano walk. Surely the end of days is upon us.
You know who’s having a good day/year? Josh Hamilton.
BABIP is no longer kind to Dempster.
@ Rice Cube:
She’s a harsh mistress.
Drew Butera got a hit!
Seems like Dempster’s location is slipping.
Ryan Dempster’s ERA is going to go up after tonight’s game. Even if he throws a complete game and allows only one run.
Damn, 4 HR for Hamilton tonight
@ mb21:
He could pitch into extra innings.
Let’s say from to F7 is a top of the rotation starter. How much does that change Jim Hendry’s draft analysis? I don’t think it changes too much, but that has been one of the biggest complaints.
@ Berselius:
That’s 25% of the Cubs team total.
Sooooo…TOOTBLAN.
Nice catch by Dempster.
Too bad Cole Hamels isn’t on the O’s, he could teach Josh Hamilton a lesson about old school baseball. Real Baseball Players are more proud of a four single day.
Josh Hamilton Is Kate Upton hot right now…so hot
Josh hamilton has a 1212 wrC+ in today’s game
More importantly, Hamilton is a single and a triple short of the cycle (dying laughing)
He also has a double tonight. Wow!
What’s the record for most bases in a single game?
@ Berselius:
Would’ve been a lot more impressive had he hit for the cycle rather than four measly homeruns.
@ Rice Cube:
http://www.whatstherecordformostbasesinasinglegame.com
@ mb21:
He has no respect for the game
@ Berselius:
He’s lucky he’s not in the National League. Call Hamels was not impressed by today’s performance.
LaHair chased again.
@ Rice Cube:
According to Len it’s 18 in the American League and 19 in the National League.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_had_the_most_total_bases_in_one_Major_League_Baseball_game
Soriano with hustle double (dying laughing)
Nice to see Sori turn on a meatball for once.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
It’s like Soriano has healed but is unfortunately five years older than when the Cubs signed him.
@ Rice Cube:
Should’ve had a triple.
/Brenly
O’Flaherty being old school…let’s not plunk the guy eh?
@ mb21:
Yes. Maybe someone can give him a few ounces of transformation.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I’ve been surprised at how complimentary Bob Brenley has been about Soriano this season. It’s shocking.
@ mb21:
TRANSFORMED
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
That shit is expensive. You can’t just go buy it at the supermarket.
I know Dempste’s had some good luck but this might be the best stretch of baseball we’ve seen from him in a Cubs uniform.
@ mb21:
Maybe the corporate masters have yanked the leash.
Soto going for silver here.
@ mb21:
Trying to boost his trade value.
I had an excellent pic of a silver sombrero ready. Dammit. This is the most disappointment I’ve felt during a Cubs game this season.
CM PUNK!!!!!!!
@ mb21:
I bet Vince Conte has some.
@ mb21:
The baseball gods feel bad for how they treated him last year.
In case anyone was wondering:
Yes Bubbles owns CM Punks t shirt.. And Daniel Bryans…
YES! YES! YES!
Well, Dempster’s out…how many runs does the bullpen give up? I’m going with 2.
@ bubblesdachimp:
PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER
A.J. Burnett just pitched his third quality start out of 4. His ERA is still over 6.
@ Rice Cube:
4
Ladies and Gents, Kerry Wood!
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
We should just let Bourne score…
I know how this ends
@ ACT:
NOT AN ACE
Here are the Hamilton homers:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21259809&c_id=mlb
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21260901&c_id=mlb
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21264629&c_id=mlb
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21266197&c_id=mlb
Kerry should honestly be released.. Gotta be a better reliever somewhere.
I mean they were trying to give us an out and he couldnt get it over. Ugh
Beltran has 2 homers. It’s only the second inning, so he’s on pace to get 9.
This bullpen is a fucking tinder box.
Jesus Quincy Adams
Should be first and third two outs.. Dont understand why people wont take outs when they are offered
So, Hamilton hit one homer to the opposite field and 3 to center. Pulling is for wimps.
Kerry Wood has transformed into a guy who’s not very good at baseball.
Good call, RC, but my prediction is looking good.
I don’t know who CM Punk is, but he was pretty funny. I googled him and got this, so I figure for a wrestler he seems all right, http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2012/0507/552398/cm-punk/
Nice!!
I’ve always liked Kerry’s pickoff move.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
We’ve got another inning. You may win yet.
Concerned about good old Dales bullpen management…
Then again what choices does he have… But without the duo of Wood and Marmol this team is probably .500
Kerry threw his glove into the stands as he walked off. I’ve never seen that before. he seemed really mad. I actually wonder if he’s going to call it quits after seeing that
The HBP that wasn’t? It probably missed but DeJesus tried to sell it big time (dying laughing)
Nothing like playing for 1 run when you’re down by 2.
@ Rice Cube:
They said on the radio that it hit him.
Three straight ABs, three pitches low-ish and away, LaHair chases pitcher’s pitch gets himself out.
Nice offensive inning. And Castro comes up gimpy. The Cubs have turned post-pitching meltdowns turned offensive meltdowns into an art.
@ ACT:if he had any respect for the game he would’ve pulled them all the rightfield.
@ josh:
Wow, yeah that’s not good.
@ ACT:
Hard to tell even in slo-mo. I would say it seemed to deflect slightly.
@ josh:
Wood has done that a few times over the course of his career.
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
And his hat, then went into the showers. I’ve never seen a player do that.
@ mb21:
Oh okay, I’ve never seen anyone do that. If I did that, it would mean I was quitting since I can’t afford a new glove.
@ bubblesdachimp:
This assumes their replacements would’ve been any better than they have been. Actually it assumes they would’ve been perfect.
@ mb21:
In the good old days, he would have been plunked at least once, preventing him from getting his 4 homers.
Castro —> AWESOME
@ josh:
I remember one time he did it and then used a different glove the next inning.
Real nice play by Castro there.
@ ACT:
All four homerun games happened since 2008. It’s a very different game these days.
If this doesn’t get to extras, then my 2-run bullpen prediction holds.
Aram —————> 3-run triple.
If Old School says you get plunked when you’re doing well how did guys like Ruth and Ted Williams not have about 100 HBPs?
per season, I mean
@ ACT:
I bet he wasn’t hustling. Probably could’ve gotten all the way home.
@ josh:
What’s funny is that HBP’s actually peaked in the early 2000′s.
OK, HBP’s were most common in the 19th century, but since then, most of the years in which it was most common are in the 21th century (it was high after the turn of the 20th, though).
In the modern era (since 1901), here are the years with the highest HBP rates.
National League:
2006
2005
2003
2001
1901
2007
2004
1903
2002
American League:
2001
2004
2003
2002
1911
1901
2008
2007
2005
i think it was appropriate that I was taking a shit when this game ended.
@ Rice Cube:
Judge for yourself: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21267429&c_id=mlb
@ ACT:
I guess it took him about 13 seconds to get to 3B. Probably got in there standing up.
Nice tats, Mish.
srbutch5 wrote:
Geovanny Soto is Kim DeJesus hot right now.
/josh’d
So, this e-mail was sent out to our company today from a disgruntled colleague:
The best part is he sent the e-mail out to himself first, then sent it to our corporate location in Illinois, then to all of North America. (dying laughing)
@ WaLi:
He sounds like a wanker.
@ WaLi:
I’ve never been annoyed enough at a job to actually send the email, but I’ve conceived of a few in my brain.
@ josh:
I’m assuming this guy was one of the drivers who was let go so he had nothing to lose. The confusing thing to me is since he works in the UK, why send the e-mail to NA?
The worst part though is when someone (usually accidentally) sends an e-mail out to the whole company, the whole day is spent deleting e-mails from people who reply “I don’t think this was meant for me” or people who reply all saying “Don’t reply all!”
Dumbasses.
@ WaLi:
People who Reply All inappropriately should be drug out into the street and shot.
All-star voting. I always look for Josh Hamilton in the first base section. Oh right, he’s like their center fielder.
I’m voting for the best player in each league by WAR as of this moment. Like a boss. I’m voting for Kinsler over Kelly Johnson. They’re tied.
Josh, OBB is fucking fantastic. Particularly the latest one.
Do the two fans have names?
Only 10% hate the bunt as much as MO does: http://www.insidethebook.com/ee/index.php/site/comments/poll_my_view_of_the_sacrifice_bunt_is/
@ GBTS:
Uh…. smart guy and beer guy?
@ josh:
Every time Beer Guy takes a sip of Old Style it cracks me up.
@ GBTS:
He has the rare ability to talk and drink beer at the same time. Speaking of which, I had an Old Style for the first time at my last trip to Wrigley, in 2010. Terrible!
@ josh:
Which is which?
@ mb21:
I think the way they worded the question has something to do with it. They worded it saying “We are right and you agree” or “We are right and you disagree”.
It should be worded something like “I think sac bunts have a place in the game” or “I think there is rarely a time a sac bunt is justifiable”
If they want to see if you read the book or not, they can say “I read the book and I think sac bunts have a place” etc. etc.
Basically they set up the question that if you answer against them, you are wrong.
Maybe the Thinker and the Drinker?
I’m terrible with names, as evidenced by my username.
WaLi wrote:
But if you disagree then you are wrong. Teams have to bunt on occasion. There are situations in which win expectancy might increase while run expectancy decreases with a bunt. The people who visit that site and take part in that poll know that. It would be a more interesting poll at Fangraphs and ESPN.
The fact that bunts are necessary and when used right can be beneficial doesn’t mean teams are following that strategy. That’s what MO gets upset about (I think). Teams are just giving away outs more than they should be.
a very erotic minor league update is up
@ josh:
I like that one. You should get them personalized Cub jerseys.
josh wrote:
(dying laughing)