Just like that, the Cajun Connection has been broken up and shipped away. Just 12 days after sending Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers, the Cubs traded his former double play partner for life Mike Fontenot to the Giants. The Cubs get Low-A outfielder Evan Crawford in return.
After Giants shortstop Edgar Renteria was injured last night, the team needed another major league infielder to help them stay in the playoff race. Fontenot gives them flexibility, as he can play second base, third base, and (in a pinch) shortstop. He’s hitting .284 this season with a .319 wOBA.
Fontenot had clearly fallen down the depth chart for the Cubs this season, he started just five games after July 1st, and since he was due another raise this off-season, the cost-cutting Cubs decided to move on without him. Fontenot made $1 million this season as a Super-2, and would have been eligible for arbitration again this winter.
Evan Crawford is a 22 year old center fielder who was drafted in the 9th round last year. His numbers in Low-A ball this year don’t inspire much confidence, with a .684 OPS and 108 strikeouts in 109 games. It would appear he has some speed though, given his 12 triples. I wouldn’t expect to hear from Crawford anytime soon.
I would guess that AAA shortstop Darwin Barney replaces Fontenot on the roster for now, given his ability to play multiple infield positions and backup Starlin Castro.
In other news, the Cubs announced John Grabow is out for the season. In his last workout Grabow felt a pull in his knee, and a MRI revealed a torn MCL.
Well. Here’s to next season…
And to think just last season he was the next Dustin Pedroia…