The Chicago Cubs made a minor move on Monday afternoon, claiming infielder Adrian Cardenas off waivers. Chicago designated Blake DeWitt for assignment in order to make room for Cardenas.
#Cubs designate IF Blake DeWitt for assignment , claim IF Adrian Cardenas off waivers from Oakland.
— Bruce Miles (@BruceMiles2112) February 6, 2012
The 24-year-old Cardenas hit .314/.374/.418 for Oakland's triple-A affiliate last season and has a .303/.368/.413 line in six minor league seasons.
Related: Cubs DFA Blake DeWitt
Those are respectable numbers, and Cardenas is still young, which leads to the question of why he was available in the first place. Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein says defense is a major reason:
Instead of handing Adrian Cardenas a job in Chicago, maybe we should wonder why he was available. He's a really bad infielder.
— Kevin Goldstein (@Kevin_Goldstein) February 6, 2012
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