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.
Comments
I love the getting to know banner. Did you do that one? Great work.
mb21Quote Reply
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.
mb21Quote Reply
mb21 wrote:
I have to do something around here to earn my gigantic OV paycheck.
Aisle424Quote Reply
I think we should all get really excited about small and/or gerrymandered samples.
/everything on fangraphs
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
What are they getting excited about now?
mb21Quote Reply
Hamilton just hit 2 more home runs, tying him with Kemp at 12.
ACTQuote Reply
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.
mb21Quote Reply
No no-hitter for Dempster tonight.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ 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.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
I can see Mish changing Siri’s voice to Alfred Pennyworth.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ 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 OutfielderQuote Reply
@ 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.
mb21Quote Reply
Nice to see the opposing pitcher have to pitch around someone in the Cubs lineup. Thanks LaHair.
srbutch5Quote Reply
Oy, Soriano…that was a good changeup though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Yikes…borderline pitch there, but nice AB by Soto.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Damn, that was a brilliant AB by Soto ruined by a shitty call. Human Element!
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Dempster is just beating the shit out of the bottom of the zone.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
For what it’s worth, Gameday does defend that call…just barely.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
In other words, by a margin it’s likely impossible for the ump to have seen.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
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 OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
It could have gone either way 😀 I thought it was a ball though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
The ump’s strike zone is in quantum flux.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Robot umpires now
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ 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
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Yes, please.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Dempster is playing a dangerous game with his slider.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Man, if he keeps feathering that slider up there belt-high, this Braves lineup is going to massacre him.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
If I wander blindly into traffic I will be hit by a car
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
This sentence is true.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
BABIP smiles upon Ryan Dempster tonight.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
He is damn lucky Chipper didn’t send that meatball into orbit.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Soriano doing Soriano things?
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
The first rule of Tautology Club is the first rule of Tautology Club
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Hesperus is Phosphorus.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
LaHair chased there. Looks like the plan on him tonight is away, away, away.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Nice catch 😀
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Holy crap, a Soriano walk. Surely the end of days is upon us.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
You know who’s having a good day/year? Josh Hamilton.
ACTQuote Reply
BABIP is no longer kind to Dempster.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
She’s a harsh mistress.
ACTQuote Reply
Drew Butera got a hit!
ACTQuote Reply
Seems like Dempster’s location is slipping.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
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.
mb21Quote Reply
Damn, 4 HR for Hamilton tonight
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ mb21:
He could pitch into extra innings.
ACTQuote Reply
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.
mb21Quote Reply
@ Berselius:
That’s 25% of the Cubs team total.
mb21Quote Reply
Sooooo…TOOTBLAN.
Nice catch by Dempster.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
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.
BerseliusQuote Reply
Josh Hamilton Is Kate Upton hot right now…so hot
srbutch5Quote Reply
Josh hamilton has a 1212 wrC+ in today’s game
BerseliusQuote Reply
More importantly, Hamilton is a single and a triple short of the cycle (dying laughing)
BerseliusQuote Reply
He also has a double tonight. Wow!
mb21Quote Reply
What’s the record for most bases in a single game?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
Would’ve been a lot more impressive had he hit for the cycle rather than four measly homeruns.
mb21Quote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
http://www.whatstherecordformostbasesinasinglegame.com
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ mb21:
He has no respect for the game
BerseliusQuote Reply
@ Berselius:
He’s lucky he’s not in the National League. Call Hamels was not impressed by today’s performance.
mb21Quote Reply
LaHair chased again.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
According to Len it’s 18 in the American League and 19 in the National League.
mb21Quote Reply
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_had_the_most_total_bases_in_one_Major_League_Baseball_game
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Soriano with hustle double (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nice to see Sori turn on a meatball for once.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
It’s like Soriano has healed but is unfortunately five years older than when the Cubs signed him.
mb21Quote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Should’ve had a triple.
/Brenly
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
O’Flaherty being old school…let’s not plunk the guy eh?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ mb21:
Yes. Maybe someone can give him a few ounces of transformation.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
I’ve been surprised at how complimentary Bob Brenley has been about Soriano this season. It’s shocking.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
TRANSFORMED
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
That shit is expensive. You can’t just go buy it at the supermarket.
mb21Quote Reply
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.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
Maybe the corporate masters have yanked the leash.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Soto going for silver here.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ mb21:
Trying to boost his trade value.
ACTQuote Reply
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.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
CM PUNK!!!!!!!
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ mb21:
I bet Vince Conte has some.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ mb21:
The baseball gods feel bad for how they treated him last year.
ACTQuote Reply
In case anyone was wondering:
Yes Bubbles owns CM Punks t shirt.. And Daniel Bryans…
YES! YES! YES!
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Well, Dempster’s out…how many runs does the bullpen give up? I’m going with 2.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
A.J. Burnett just pitched his third quality start out of 4. His ERA is still over 6.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
4
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Ladies and Gents, Kerry Wood!
(dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
We should just let Bourne score…
I know how this ends
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
@ ACT:
NOT AN ACE
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
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
ACTQuote Reply
Kerry should honestly be released.. Gotta be a better reliever somewhere.
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
I mean they were trying to give us an out and he couldnt get it over. Ugh
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
Beltran has 2 homers. It’s only the second inning, so he’s on pace to get 9.
ACTQuote Reply
This bullpen is a fucking tinder box.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Jesus Quincy Adams
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Should be first and third two outs.. Dont understand why people wont take outs when they are offered
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
So, Hamilton hit one homer to the opposite field and 3 to center. Pulling is for wimps.
ACTQuote Reply
Kerry Wood has transformed into a guy who’s not very good at baseball.
joshQuote Reply
Good call, RC, but my prediction is looking good.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
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/
joshQuote Reply
Nice!!
joshQuote Reply
I’ve always liked Kerry’s pickoff move.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
We’ve got another inning. You may win yet.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
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
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
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
joshQuote Reply
The HBP that wasn’t? It probably missed but DeJesus tried to sell it big time (dying laughing)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nothing like playing for 1 run when you’re down by 2.
ACTQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
They said on the radio that it hit him.
ACTQuote Reply
Three straight ABs, three pitches low-ish and away, LaHair chases pitcher’s pitch gets himself out.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Nice offensive inning. And Castro comes up gimpy. The Cubs have turned post-pitching meltdowns turned offensive meltdowns into an art.
joshQuote Reply
@ ACT:if he had any respect for the game he would’ve pulled them all the rightfield.
mb21Quote Reply
@ josh:
Wow, yeah that’s not good.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
@ ACT:
Hard to tell even in slo-mo. I would say it seemed to deflect slightly.
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
Wood has done that a few times over the course of his career.
mb21Quote Reply
@ Mercurial Outfielder:
And his hat, then went into the showers. I’ve never seen a player do that.
joshQuote Reply
@ 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.
joshQuote Reply
@ bubblesdachimp:
This assumes their replacements would’ve been any better than they have been. Actually it assumes they would’ve been perfect.
mb21Quote Reply
@ mb21:
In the good old days, he would have been plunked at least once, preventing him from getting his 4 homers.
ACTQuote Reply
Castro —> AWESOME
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ josh:
I remember one time he did it and then used a different glove the next inning.
mb21Quote Reply
Real nice play by Castro there.
mb21Quote Reply
@ ACT:
All four homerun games happened since 2008. It’s a very different game these days.
mb21Quote Reply
If this doesn’t get to extras, then my 2-run bullpen prediction holds.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Aram —————> 3-run triple.
ACTQuote Reply
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
joshQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I bet he wasn’t hustling. Probably could’ve gotten all the way home.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
@ josh:
What’s funny is that HBP’s actually peaked in the early 2000’s.
ACTQuote Reply
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).
ACTQuote Reply
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
ACTQuote Reply
i think it was appropriate that I was taking a shit when this game ended.
joshQuote Reply
@ Rice Cube:
Judge for yourself: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21267429&c_id=mlb
ACTQuote Reply
@ ACT:
I guess it took him about 13 seconds to get to 3B. Probably got in there standing up.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Nice tats, Mish.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
srbutch5 wrote:
Geovanny Soto is Kim DeJesus hot right now.
/josh’d
jtsunamiQuote Reply
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)
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
He sounds like a wanker.
MuckerQuote Reply
@ 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.
joshQuote Reply
@ 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.
WaLiQuote Reply
@ WaLi:
People who Reply All inappropriately should be drug out into the street and shot.
joshQuote Reply
All-star voting. I always look for Josh Hamilton in the first base section. Oh right, he’s like their center fielder.
joshQuote Reply
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.
joshQuote Reply
Josh, OBB is fucking fantastic. Particularly the latest one.
Do the two fans have names?
GBTSQuote Reply
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/
mb21Quote Reply
@ GBTS:
Uh…. smart guy and beer guy?
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
Every time Beer Guy takes a sip of Old Style it cracks me up.
GBTSQuote Reply
@ 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!
joshQuote Reply
@ josh:
Which is which?
WaLiQuote Reply
@ 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.
WaLiQuote Reply
Maybe the Thinker and the Drinker?
I’m terrible with names, as evidenced by my username.
joshQuote Reply
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.
mb21Quote Reply
a very erotic minor league update is up
dylanjQuote Reply
@ josh:
I like that one. You should get them personalized Cub jerseys.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
josh wrote:
(dying laughing)
GBTSQuote Reply