Aug 19, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs pinch hitter Blake DeWitt hits a RBI triple during the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE
The Chicago Cubs designated 26-year old utility man Blake DeWitt for assignment Monday, in order to make room for Adrian Cardenas, a 24 year old middle infielder who was claimed from the Oakland Athletics earlier that day. DeWitt hit .265 last year for the Cubs, appearing in 121 games – splitting time between infield and outfield positions.
DeWitt and the Cubs had agreed to a $1.1 million 2012 salary earlier this winter, but now will likely look to trade him, or release him. As Darwin Barney struggled in the second half of the season, DeWitt took over as the primary second baseman. If DeWitt indeed departs Chicago, it appears likely that Barney will start the season at second base, with Jeff Baker in the mix, as well.
Cardenas is coming off one of his best seasons to date with Oakland’s AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats. He hit .314, driving in 51 runs to go along with his five home runs. In three seasons playing at the Triple A level, he has a .290 batting average and has shown the ability to play multiple positions, similar to DeWitt. Although he bats left-handed, Cardenas throws with his right, and has shown the ability to hit to all fields, as well.
The Cubs have ten days to complete a trade for DeWitt, release him, or add him back to the 40-man, which seems unlikely at this point in time.
Tags: Blake DeWitt
A 20-year old double major at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. Wrapping up a Political Science BA this term, and a BA in Multimedia Journalism/Mass Communications next Spring. Engaged to a fellow die-hard Cubs fan. To me, there are two seasons: baseball season and "Is it Spring Training yet?"
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[...] As Cubbies Crib newest staff-writer wrote earlier today, the Chicago Cubs have designated veteran utility man Blake DeWitt for assignment. The move came in light of the Cubs claiming 24 year old utility man Adrian Cardenas off waivers from the Oakland Athletics. DeWitt being DFA’d does not come as a surprise to myself. With the likes of Jeff Baker and Darwin Barney already a part of the Cubs’ 25 man roster, and the fact that the team was looking for a back-up middle fielder; it seemed likely that DeWitt’s days with the team were numbered. DeWitt, when he was acquired from the the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010 in a trade included Ryan Theriot and Ted Lilly being dealt to Los Angeles, was considered as a potential solution to the Cubs’ long-term need at second base. The only issue is that DeWitt never progressed offensively, and that led to his early departure from the Cubs’ organization. While DeWitt could still return on a minor league deal if he is not traded or released in the next ten days, it seems likely he will be playing elsewhere in 2012. [...]