Trade For Cantu Makes Sense For Rangers

The addition of another slugger to an already potent lineup only cements the Rangers chances of making the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

The Texas Rangers have done it again.

Texas has found another team to absorb the majority of a player's one-year contract, while sending a couple of minor leaguers to complete the deal. The Florida Marlins have agreed to part with infielder Jorge Cantu as part of a three-player deal that has Texas sending two double-A players to the Marlins.

Here are the trade details.

This is good for the Rangers because Cantu is a career .276 hitter in six MLB seasons, had knocked in 100 RBI in two of his six Major-League seasons and, made especially important with Ian Kinsler recently being put on the 15-day disabled list, can play every infield position aside from shortstop.

Even when Kinsler gets back, the Rangers now have the flexibility to start someone who can actually hit at first base. Chris Davis, who is batting .188 with no homers and three RBI in 101 at-bats this season, will either be sent to the minors or used in spot duty for the remainder of the season.

However, like anything else, Cantu doesn't come without some flaws.

He's currently batting only .262 (still over 60 points better than Davis) and has been less than impressive defensively with 16 errors so far this season - tied for second-most among all players and most among Major League third basemen. Florida was almost too-willing to rid themselves of a 28-year old third/first baseman who has shown the ability to consistently drive i runs, which tells me something must be up with this guy.

But, that being said, this is a guy who has hit 10 home runs and knocked in 54 RBI this season batting cleanup for the Marlins. He'll have much more protection in this lineup, likely batting third or sixth, and will see many more quality pitches being sandwhiched between the likes of Micheal Young, Josh Hamilton, and Nelson Cruz. Also, about the errors, people who

What's most impressive to me is that this team is under MLB-control and is still pulling off blockbuster trades left and right. This tells me that the management of the Rangers is under the mindset that this team not only wants to get into the playoffs, but is going to do some damage when it gets there - no matter what the financial situation of the team is.

Cantu should be in the starting lineup for Friday's game in Anaheim against the L.A. Angels.