By JON MACHOTA
FOXSportsSouthwest.com Special Contributor
Feb. 24, 2011
Despite his struggles with the Rangers, Jorge Cantu appears to be ready for a bounce back performance this season with the San Diego Padres.
However, according to a story by the Associated Press, Cantu blames those struggles on the Rangers for not using him properly.
As a member of the Florida Marlins, Cantu had been an everyday player who drove in 95 or more runs during the 2008 and 2009 seasons while spending time at first and third base. His time with the Rangers consisted of 98 at bats and only two RBIs.
"Once I went to Texas everything shut down," Cantu said. "I went from a starter every day and played once a week. It's not a failure. It's an experience. That's what it was. Now, everybody is starting from zero and what counts is from now on."
While with the Rangers, Cantu went through some long stretches with very little playing time. Between Aug. 30 and Sept.22, he stepped to the plate only 11 times.
"You're expecting to play and all of a sudden you're not playing," Cantu said. "That left a little sour taste."
Fortunately for him, the Rangers were winning and making a postseason run, making him a part of a playoff team for the first time in his seven-year career.
"The experience of being in the playoffs was second to none," Cantu said. "It left me a lot of hunger to get back there and actually be playing and getting more opportunity.
"As long as I get those at bats, that's the most important part. I've been an RBI man for the past three years and don't have any plans to back off or stop it."
