Cubs Release Cintrón
by initram on Mar 26, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
42 comments
According to Bruce Levine this morning, the Cubs have decided to part ways with Cintrón.
I speculate that this means that:
1. His injury was a lot worse than originally reported/anticipated, or
2. the Cubs have elected to pass on Roberts and keep Cedeño, or
3. the Cubs saw enough of Fontenot during spring training that he could fulfill the utility IF role for the Cubs should talks with Roberts heat back up (and as an NRI, Cintrón would be granted his unconditional release), or
4. Hendry feels that an external acquisition/trade is necessary, these are a "dime a dozen", or
5. All of the Above.
Discuss.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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He will catch on somewhere
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer
by Hammer on Mar 26, 2008 11:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hope this is a vote of confidence for...
Mike Fontenot. I love the way he swings the bat.
by bap on Mar 26, 2008 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Some Pretty Unexpected Power...
...Fonty has there.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 26, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
#2
I still think Cedeno > Cintron. At least he still has some upside, wheras Fontenot and Cintron do not. Cedeno is ahead of Fontenot because he can play all IF positions, while Fontenot is pretty much just a 2B
by berselius on Mar 26, 2008 11:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
ChicagoSports.com link to the story
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/03/cedeno-chosen-o.html
Cedeno said Wednesday he was told that he'd made the club.
by flachimesa on Mar 26, 2008 11:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cintron maybe wanted release?
Not every player wants to be in Chicago as crazy as it sounds. Perhaps it was a mutual decision?
by ak123 on Mar 26, 2008 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It Was Likely In His NRI Signing...
...that if he did not make the major league club that he would be granted his unconditional release.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 26, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I like this...
but it make sense. Cubs either had to trade, DL, release or put Ronny on the 25-man. I don't think a trade was going to happen anytime soon.
Would like to have seen Alex stick with the Cubbies - switch hitter, versatile, and seemed like a good clubhouse guy. Hope he's not injured. Saw the injury go down that Friday in Phoenix... then saw him with a shiner on Sunday.
Anyone see this in print yet?
by socalicubsfan on Mar 26, 2008 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Theriot needed a cajun translator...
n/t
Hector Villanueva's Career Stolen Bases: 1
by IowaCubs- on Mar 26, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Cedeno had to make the team
or be cut. And they didn't need two backup SS's. That's true whether trade talks are dead or not. Murton's a better hitter than Fontenot, but makes no sense as a 25th guy. Plus, Cedeno and Murton are both right handed. Lil Todd Walker is some kind of survivor (it appears....).
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson
by JohnM on Mar 26, 2008 12:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I Think Hendry...
...was expecting to trade Cedeno... and still may. There was no risk in seeing Cintron play. Who knows what the decision would have been had he not been hit and sufferred the hammy injury.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 26, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All of the above.
n/t
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 26, 2008 12:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So
does this keep Murton on the roster?
Poor Matty Murton....
by Keystone80435 on Mar 26, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably not.
Your bench players are: Blanco, Ward, Cedeno, Johnson and Fontenot.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 26, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which works out perfect.
In the infield, Cedeno and Johnson can backup at second and short, Johnson is the main utility outfielder, Ward at first, and DeRosa can also fill in at third if need be. Every position now has a capable backup, which is exactly what we needed.
"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004
by ctcoff99 on Mar 26, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cant argue with that.
Poor Matty Murton....
by Keystone80435 on Mar 26, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like this move
Cintron has been a solid bench player most of his career. He was actually having a nice spring to hitting 325, which was much better then Fontenot and Cedeno. I kinda figured this move would happen though with Cedeno out of options, and Lou liking Fontenot alot. But I was hoping we could put Cintron on the DL to start the season or put him in Triple A for a month. Sounds like the final roster spot will come down to Fontenot and Murton. Personally I don't see them putting Murton in the minors, so I think he made the team if doesn't get traded.
by cubsfan25 on Mar 26, 2008 12:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I still don't see why we need 2 backup IF
When DeRosa can play multiple positions too. What's the point of keeping Fontenot when he can only play 2b?
by berselius on Mar 26, 2008 12:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is why...
... Fontenot has been playing SS this spring, to increase his versatility.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Mar 26, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If DeRosa is playing third
because Aramis has a cranky quad and can't play, then someone (Cedeno) needs to play 2B. If there's a double switch to be made (or an injury), and no one else on the bench who can play middle IF, you're caught short with only Reed, Blanco Murton and Ward sitting there.
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson
by JohnM on Mar 26, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't actually know if quads (one of his previous injuries) can be "cranky" :-)
What I do know is that there are a number of games in every season when A-Ram is not available.
Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson
by JohnM on Mar 26, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Murton to Triple A
I'm glad Hendry isn't just giving away Murton, let him go in the minors and crush the ball. It will do more much for his trade value then sitting on the Cubs bench, and we can still call him up if we have a injury. But it's pretty unfair for Murton to have to go to Triple A the second year in a row after putting up nice numbers offensivly in the big leagues.
by cubsfan25 on Mar 26, 2008 1:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How long will it be
before Cintron signs with the O's? He was going to sign with them originally, then changed his mind at the last minute. He probably had an out-clause in his contract if he didn't make the team.
Personally, I'd rather have Cedeno and Cintron. Fontenot wasn't a very good PH last year, and we already have a LHB PH. I shudder every time a ground ball is hit to him. (What does Lou smoke that makes him think Fontenot is a better SS than DeRo?)
Murton hasn't had a place on this team since they signed Sori -- or at least since the Sori in CF experiment ended. I hope they trade him, because he has nothing left to prove in AAA.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Mar 26, 2008 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pah
I'd much rather have kept Cintron and released Cedeno.
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 26, 2008 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Gordon Wittenmyer (Sun-Times) reports that Murton is the odd man out
as Cubs close in on opening roster.
The Cubs¹ acquisition of outfielder Reed Johnson has left career .296 hitter Matt Murton out of the Cubs¹ plans for their opening roster, and the team will try to help the outfielder land a big-league job through a trade in the final days of camp.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella finalized his Opening Day bench today by naming infielder Mike Fontenot as his reserve. The four others: Johnson, catcher Henry Blanco, pinch-hitter Daryle Ward and infielder Ronny Cedeno.
As suggested in a previous post, Alex Cintron elected to become a free agent rather than accept a minor-league assignment once he learned earlier this week that he was not going to make the big-league club.
It also appears that the final roster spot will go to Sean Marshall over rookie Carmen Pignatiello, replacing injured Scott Eyre (elbow).
by flachimesa on Mar 26, 2008 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks...
I know I'm in the minority here, but I really believe it's trade Murton now for whatever you can get, or be forced to accept a bag of balls for him later.
Languishing in AAA will do nothing but diminish his trade value further.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 26, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree
If Murton starts to show more HR power in Triple A, and is hitting 330-340 with what he has already done in the big leagues, it has to open scouts eyes and increase his value. We can't give Murton away for nothing, when simliar players in Ryan Church was the main piece to get Lasting Millege and Luke Scott was the second piece to get Miguel Tejada. So playing Murton in the minors will help his value alot more then maybe getting 5-7 AB's per week off the Cubs bench.
by cubsfan25 on Mar 26, 2008 2:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It won't...
but if you chose to believe that, that's fine.
Not everything is seen through the eyes of statistics, and on-field play. The reality of it is that there has to be a perception of value, and if not, then at least of potential when talking the trade of assets. No one, and seriously, I mean no one, is going to reward you well in trade for an average ML LF languishing in your farm system. Won't happen. He's so valuable that he isn't even on your 25 man roster? Please! I'm going to low-ball, and low-ball, and low-ball until I can get that player in trade. Or not, and I'll wait till you finally release him. You need only look at Hendrys' history with Reed Johnson for an example of how this really works.
You're not creating value with him in the minors, and you make things worse marginalizing him to PH duties in the majors. He needs to go. Right now. And the organization knows he needs to go. Frankly, the notion that I'll give you something valuable in return for something that you've come to completely disregard is a bit silly, and against human nature.
Take your prospect or two. Thank Matt for his service. And wish him well as a fan.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 26, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It all depends on demand
If Murton is destroying Triple A pitching, and a team like say the Padres really really needs a good hitting LF, they may be willing to give up better prospects then they are right now. Of course teams don't wanna give up good prospects to get a player. But Hendry knows what type of value he wants in return for Murton, and he should hold on to him until he gets what he wants in return for him. It's not worth dumping the guy for low level prospects, it benefits the Cubs more to hold onto him incase of a injury. But just because the guy isn't doesn't make a teams 25 man roster, doesn't mean he's not good enough to make the roster. Is Josh Fields not good enough to make the White Sox? No he just has somebody blocking him on the ML team, just like the Cubs do with Murton. You really think if Murton has a 1000 plus OPS in Triple A this year that his value isn't going to be higher then it is right now?
by cubsfan25 on Mar 26, 2008 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're talking about the difference between apples and hand grenades....
Josh Fields is returning to the minors because an existing player is blocking him, and the Sox can't trade him. Matt Murton may be heading back because he doesn't fit the organizations needs anymore. So much so that they went actively looking for someone to replace him. TWICE. And everyone in baseball knows it.
And to answer your question, Matt Murton could light it up in AAA with a 1.000 OPS, and it won't matter much at all. Because the Cubs won't play him! And that is always going to minimize his trade value.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 26, 2008 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You forget about the demand
factor. How many times in a season do teams have a player you know they want to trade(and don't plan on playing him), and they still get something of value for him. Thats because there's a demand for the player and more then one team is after him. So if Murton does hit really well in the minors, and more then one team needs OF help(which seems very possible)Murton value will increase.
by cubsfan25 on Mar 26, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Murton, Cintron, Leiber, Piggy
All got Cedeno-ed on within 24 hours.
And Ronny Poo-Poo makes the squad. Ouch.
"I got a PBS mind in an MTV world"...Jimmy Buffett
by The Ryno and I Know on Mar 26, 2008 2:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The way I see it...
Cintron is Perez is Izturis... no loss.
Stats spelled backwards is statS!
by digitalbenjamin on Mar 26, 2008 3:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Shrewd moves....especially Murton
Murton is a fish out of water---he has no role or position on this roster in that the corner OF'ers have long term contracts---he can't play CF and he is not a quintessential LH bat off the bench who can play the OF and 1B and he does not have base stealing speed.
Murton needs to go to a small market club, make a career and be happy he will be afforded that opportunity. Placing Murton in AAA would permanently devalue him and making a trade would also benefit those in the system who know if they make themselves MLB capable they will find a big league club.
As for Cintron he probably was damaged. With Cedeno he can play both SS & 2B, with Fontenot he can [maybe in a pinch] do that also...with DeRosa he can play the corner OF spots and 3B so there is versatility. I am wondering if Fontenot learns to play SS better can we see Patterson called up and Cedeno sent to out.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on Mar 26, 2008 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Amen!!!
He spend more than a month in AAA, and you'll never see more than a bag of balls for him.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 26, 2008 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That doesn't make sense
whats the difference in Murton value a month ago compared to what it would be if he's destroying Minor league pitching? Teams still know the Cubs would like to trade him, and don't have a spot for him, nothing has changed. Murton playing more in the minors and improving as a player in front of scouts eyes, would increase his value compared to sitting on the Cubs bench and rarely playing.
by cubsfan25 on Mar 26, 2008 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does...
just not to you. You're thinking about what is happening on the field. It's pertinent, just not always the most relevant. We're talking about what the discussions in the front office are,with businessmen who actually execute these deals. I've never done baseball deals myself, but the fundamentals of negotiation are universal, I promise.
And as for your demand comment earlier, there is little to none. And I don't think there has ever been. Matt has been a ML ballplayer for the better part of three years now. Scouts know what they are getting.
But I think Lou says it best.
``Murton¹s had a good spring. We like him,¹¹ Piniella said. ``But we¹re going to carry 12 pitchers. ... If Matt¹s not here with us, I hope we can find a major-league job for
him.¹¹
I hope we can find him a job. Nice.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 26, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Murton
Over the next few days, Hendry will try to trade Murton, something he has been trying to do without success since December.
But Hendry will not give Murton away. Just as other GMs have tried to squeeze Hendry on deals this off-season, Hendry may take a hard line on Murton and ask for a top prospect or two in return.
If that doesn't happen, the Cubs can option Murton to Class AAA Iowa.
Murton tried to look at things philosophically.
"I know it's cliché -- all I can do is take it a day at a time," he said. "That's what I learned to do last year. You can't really expect anything in this game. You've just got to believe in your own ability, which I do. Just believe that it's going to work itself out."
Murton wouldn't ask for a trade, but he seems to think he might be better off playing in the big leagues elsewhere.
"I'm a Chicago Cub right now," he said. "It's no secret. There isn't a player in here who doesn't want to play. I think I'm better suited being out there on the field on a consistent basis. That might not present itself here for a while.
"So, if the opportunity presents itself to go somewhere else and I get a chance to play, great. If I'm still here in Chicago, that's great, too."
by cubsfan25 on Mar 27, 2008 2:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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