Major League Baseball

Marlins trade 3B Cantu to Texas

Published Jul. 30, 2010 2:05 a.m. ET

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Jorge Cantu saw the light blinking on his cell phone when he got to his locker and knew it might finally be time. Then, he read the text message from his agent: He was headed for Texas.

The AL West-leading Rangers added another bat for the playoff push, acquiring Cantu from the Florida Marlins on Thursday for two minor league pitchers.

For Cantu, this ends more than a week of wondering whether he would be staying or leaving at the trade deadline. Still, shaking hands and saying goodbye to the teammates he's grown to love during three seasons in South Florida was bittersweet.

''Deep inside I'm very sad to leave the Marlins, of course,'' Cantu said. ''My turn is to go right now to the Texas Rangers and help that ballclub out. They're playing well and winning the division. I think it will be fun. Whenever you go to a new team it's always fun and exciting. ... There's still two months to go. I know what I'm capable of doing.''

Cantu had two singles, scored twice and made an error in the Marlins' 5-0 win at San Francisco before being replaced on defense in the bottom of the eighth.

''It was finalized within 30 seconds of the last out today,'' Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest said.

After Beinfest told Cantu of the trade, the infielder spoke briefly by phone with Rangers GM Jon Daniels. Cantu is set to meet the team in Anaheim on Friday morning.

''This was one of the bigger holes we wanted to address,'' Daniels said. ''I would expect most of his playing time will come at first base, but you never know.''

Cantu hit .262 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs for Florida. He's expected to the right-handed part of a platoon with either rookie Mitch Moreland or Chris Davis, one of whom is likely to be sent down to clear a roster spot for Cantu.

Cantu came up as a second baseman and earlier Thursday the Rangers put their starter, All-Star Ian Kinsler, on the disabled list. Daniels called Cantu's versatility ''an attractive footnote; it wasn't the reason we acquired him.''

Daniels said the Rangers are picking up more than half of Cantu's salary, which is significant because the team is bankrupt.

''We've had the ability to spend within our budget all along,'' Daniels said. ''This does not break from that.''

This was Texas' third trade leading up to the deadline. The Rangers also got ace Cliff Lee from Seattle and Bengie Molina from San Francisco.

Unlike many Marlins trades, this one wasn't about dumping salary. Cantu's 16 errors were concerning for a club that has struggled on defense. He also can become a free agent after the season.

Despite the mixed emotions, Cantu is ready for a fresh start after all the speculation he was on the trading block.

''I had a good feeling something was going to happen,'' he said. ''I really wanted to win here for the Marlins. It is a good relief because it was lingering around in my head for about a week. I tried not to think about it.''

The Rangers sent Double-A right-handers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda to Florida. Giving up two arms for a part-time player headed toward free agency shows how serious Texas is about making the most of this season.

''Maybe in past years it would've been more challenging - our organizational depth wasn't where it is now,'' Daniels said. ''But we felt it was a move we have to make.''

Cantu's defense has been shaky of late and the Marlins didn't consider him part of their long-term plans.

''Jorge has been fantastic but he is a would-be free agent,'' Beinfest said. ''We wanted to extract value for him now. We did not have plans to offer him a contract or arbitration this winter so we wanted to try to get value now for him.''

Wes Helms will likely become Florida's regular third baseman. Beinfest said the Marlins also want to get a long look at outfielder Logan Morrison, called up Tuesday when left fielder Chris Coghlan went on the disabled list.

Poveda, someone the Marlins have tried to acquire in the past, is recovering from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery but expected to be ready by spring training. He will rehabilitate in Jupiter, Fla.

Reed will report to Double-A Jacksonville, but is someone considered on the fast track to reach the big leagues.

''Omar has a chance to start in the big leagues,'' Daniels said. ''Evan is a good, power arm. He might fit in the back of the bullpen one day for somebody.''

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AP Sports Writers Steven Wine in Miami and Jaime Aron in Arlington, Texas, contributed to this story.

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