Getting to Know: Adrian Cardenas

In Getting to Know... by aisle424150 Comments

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:

Bleacher Nation:

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.

Cubs Den

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.

Bullpen Brian

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.

Obstructed View

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.

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Comments

  1. mb21

    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.

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  2. Author
    Aisle424

    mb21 wrote:

    I love the getting to know banner. Did you do that one? Great work.

    I have to do something around here to earn my gigantic OV paycheck.

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  3. Mercurial Outfielder

    I think we should all get really excited about small and/or gerrymandered samples.

    /everything on fangraphs

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  4. mb21

    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.

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  5. mb21

    @ 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.

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  6. srbutch5

    Nice to see the opposing pitcher have to pitch around someone in the Cubs lineup. Thanks LaHair.

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  7. Mercurial Outfielder

    Damn, that was a brilliant AB by Soto ruined by a shitty call. Human Element!

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  8. Mercurial Outfielder

    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.

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  9. Mercurial Outfielder

    Man, if he keeps feathering that slider up there belt-high, this Braves lineup is going to massacre him.

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  10. Mercurial Outfielder

    LaHair chased there. Looks like the plan on him tonight is away, away, away.

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  11. mb21

    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.

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  12. Berselius

    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.

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  13. mb21

    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.

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  14. Mercurial Outfielder

    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.

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  15. bubblesdachimp

    In case anyone was wondering:

    Yes Bubbles owns CM Punks t shirt.. And Daniel Bryans…

    YES! YES! YES!

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  16. Mercurial Outfielder

    Ladies and Gents, Kerry Wood!

    (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing) (dying laughing)

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  17. bubblesdachimp

    Should be first and third two outs.. Dont understand why people wont take outs when they are offered

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  18. bubblesdachimp

    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

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  19. josh

    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

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  20. Mercurial Outfielder

    Three straight ABs, three pitches low-ish and away, LaHair chases pitcher’s pitch gets himself out.

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  21. josh

    Nice offensive inning. And Castro comes up gimpy. The Cubs have turned post-pitching meltdowns turned offensive meltdowns into an art.

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  22. josh

    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

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  23. ACT

    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).

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  24. ACT

    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

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  25. WaLi

    So, this e-mail was sent out to our company today from a disgruntled colleague:

    Dear all, just to let you know that due to XXXXX incompetence as Logistics and Transport Supervisor 7 drivers are to lose their jobs. Not really a surprise as he only ever does half a job in all his roles. Still all the time his failures are overlooked others will suffer. On the bright side the company will save about £240K this year, could be even more if they get rid of XXXXX. You may think this is just sour grapes, and it is.

    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)

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  26. WaLi

    @ 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.

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  27. josh

    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.

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  28. josh

    @ 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!

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  29. WaLi

    @ 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.

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  30. mb21

    WaLi wrote:

    Basically they set up the question that if you answer against them, you are wrong.

    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.

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