Gotta think Cantu is impressing the coaching staff. He's been knocking the ball all over the place. Castillo hasn't done anything, and McPherson just got his first hit (granted he's battled the injury, and it was a dinger). I think they're going to try and get McPherson a lot more opportunities, and see if he can pull it out, but at the moment Cantu seems to have an edge.

Gotta think Cantu is impressing the coaching staff. He's been knocking the ball all over the place. Castillo hasn't done anything, and McPherson just got his first hit (granted he's battled the injury, and it was a dinger). I think they're going to try and get McPherson a lot more opportunities, and see if he can pull it out, but at the moment Cantu seems to have an edge.

I would have to agree with you. Cantu has been the only one doing anything, giving Castillo his spot on the bench and leaving McPherson the odd man out down in AAA.

I think you guys are right on the money.

I still think McPherson goes to AAA, he's not in game shape by his own admission. He's playing first because his recent injury prevents him from playing 3B everyday.

 

I would agree it's going to be difficult not to keep Cantu on the 25 man roster the way he's attacking the ball but we've yet to see him show any prowess at third.

 

Castillo has the glove but has yet to show he can hit with any regularity (his first hit the other day was a homerun). Where is Jim presley when you need him?

 

Things will start to be clearer once cuts are made tonight.

honestly i want to see cantu at third....he has to prove himself again and hes the best hitter them all.....mcpherson will go to AAA and catillo will be a solid backup for us

honestly i want to see cantu at third....he has to prove himself again and hes the best hitter them all.....mcpherson will go to AAA and catillo will be a solid backup for us

 

Yeah, I think McPhereson could use ABs at AAA. He's striking out alot but I'm sure he'll get better. If Cantu continues smacking the ball he's the man. He may actually be a worse 3B than Miggy was last year though. His fielding stats at 3B historically are not stellar.

honestly i want to see cantu at third....he has to prove himself again and hes the best hitter them all.....mcpherson will go to AAA and catillo will be a solid backup for us

 

The whole idea for this year is to get better defensively and as of yet Cantu hasn't shown he can play even major league average third base. Don't misunderstand, I hope he prove that he can, but so far that's not been the case. His defense is woeful. We need a good defensive third baseman not just to secure the hot corner but because it makes Hanley a better shortstop in the process.

 

McPherson is potentially the right combination (although no one would ever call his defense gold glove caliber) but he needs a few months of playing everyday before even know if he can play everyday (if you know what i mean). People say he hasn't played for a year, it's more like a year and a half with back surgery in the middle.

I've been to several spring training games in the past week and I've gotta say Cantu's bat is great! His defense is what scares me. About a week ago against the Orioles he made two real bad plays. I think if he really improves his defense he's got the job! On the other end of the spectrum Castillo has made some terrific plays on defense. In particular he made several excellent plays the other day against the Nats. But as everyone has said, his bat has been silent!

I doubt Cantu's defense is going to improve suddenly. The guy's been around for a while, he is what he is.

 

Good to see him hitting the ball though.

If Cantu's offense is better than Castillo's offense

 

 

AND

 

 

Castillo's defense is better than Cantu's defense

 

 

 

I would like the see Cantu start at 3rd.

 

 

 

We first and foremost need to replace some of Cabrera's bat and I don't think Cantu can be much worse on D than Cabs was last year.

I think Cantu starts at 3rd, McPhearson goes to AAA to get his game back... Once McPhearson seems comfortable again, bring him up and plug at 1st or 3rd (if Jacobs needs a day or 2 off)