SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sportsstory.asp?id=168263 Cintron joins new teammates By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted Saturday, March 18, 2006 TUCSON, Ariz. — For Alex Cintron, Friday was just another weird day in a very strange spring. “When I pulled in, I drove right past Gonzo (Luis Gonzalez) and some of the other guys,’’ Cintron said. “I just waved at them and kept on going.’’ Fortunately for Cintron, he was able to park the car after only 50 yards, roughly the distance between his old and new home. On March 8, Cintron was traded to the White Sox from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The teams share a sprawling complex during spring training, so the move wasn’t overly inconvenient. But Cintron was in Puerto Rico when the deal went down, playing for his native country in the World Baseball Classic. He finally was able to join his new teammates Friday. “I started with the Diamondbacks and then I go to Puerto Rico and then I hear I got traded,’’ Cintron said. “It came as a surprise. But they’ve already made me feel really good here. “(Manager) Ozzie (Guillen), (third-base coach) Joey (Cora), all the guys. I’ve played against a lot of these guys. And I played with Javy (Vazquez) with the Diamondbacks last year. It’s a good feeling to be a part of the Chicago White Sox.’’ Acquired for minor-league reliever Jeff Bajenaru, Cintron is expected to make his Sox debut in today’s game against the Cubs. Where he plays is anybody’s guess. “He can play all over the infield,’’ Guillen said. “That’s the main reason we wanted to get him, because he’s so versatile. I’m excited he’s with us now, and I think he’s going to make our team better.’’ A natural shortstop, the 27-year-old Cintron taught himself to play second base and third base during winter ball. He was the starting shortstop for much of his five-year stay with Arizona, but Cintron realizes he’s not going to supplant White Sox third baseman Joe Crede, shortstop Juan Uribe or second baseman Tadahito Iguchi. “I know they have Crede and Uribe and Iguchi, and they do a pretty good job,’’ Cintron said. “I’m just going to wait for my chance and try to help them coming off the bench. I’ve got to be ready. “I’m not going to be thinking that I’m just a bench guy. I have to concentrate like I’m an everyday guy. Every chance I get to play, I have to show what I can do.’’ The switch-hitting Cintron batted a solid .273 in 122 games with the Diamondbacks last season. More impressive was his .304 average, 3 home runs and 12 RBI in 46 at-bats as a pinch hitter. “I did a pretty good job coming off the bench and hitting last year,’’ Cintron said. “If they need me to come off the bench and do whatever — hit a home run, bunt, pinch run — I’ll be able to do it. The more versatility you have, and hitting from both sides of the plate, I think that will help.’’ I think Cintron is going to be Ozzie's new Timo so at least he's good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObamaKnowsBest Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) I really have liked what I have seen from Cintron in the WBC. Hopefully he can bring the same passion that he had for his country to the White Sox. I remember one of the announcers for the WBC after Cintron made a great play at short saying,"This kid could start on any team of mine." Pretty high praise for our utility infielder. Edited March 18, 2006 by Fourofakind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iWiN4PreP Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 yeah cintron had very good defense in the tourny./ I believe that was one of his knocks, people saying he couldnt play v. good defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanne Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Cintron was a name a lot of people (including me) were throwing out there last year before KW signed Gooch. VERY solid guy to have. To tell ya the truth...Gooch is gonna need to be on his A game...or Cintron is gonna be slotted in his place quite a bit. I understand the initial thought of Uribe in the 2-slot and Gooch down in the order. But when Cintron plays I like him at 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 For what its worth, he was also one of the best hitters in the WBC (with more than 20 AB's) batting .333 with 8 hits. He also score 5 runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 I like this quote "There was a lot of pressure representing your country, and I showed I can play under pressure. I had the opportunity to be a hero, and it was disappointing we didn't advance, but you have to turn the page and concentrate on what happens here," Cintron added. The two biggest plays you were asked to make, you folded like a cheap tent. Technically, that's playing under pressure; but more accurately, it's failing under pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 I like this quote The two biggest plays you were asked to make, you folded like a cheap tent. Technically, that's playing under pressure; but more accurately, it's failing under pressure. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Agreed, people are overrating his defense. It's not that good. I like his bat off the bench though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 18, 2006 -> 02:00 PM) Agreed, people are overrating his defense. It's not that good. I like his bat off the bench though. I think you underrate his defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 If Iguchi continues to struggle, do the Sox put Cintron in to start at 2B? Iguchi is batting .118 this spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(RME JICO @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 01:10 AM) If Iguchi continues to struggle, do the Sox put Cintron in to start at 2B? Iguchi is batting .118 this spring. I actually think he will replace him by the end of the year . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 (edited) QUOTE(RockRaines @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 02:14 AM) I actually think he will replace him by the end of the year . Wow, really. If that is the case, would the Sox move Iguchi for a middle reliever, or would they hang onto him? Iguchi seems to be in a bad spot. He was supposed to excel in his new spot in the order, and he has actually hit worse than almost every player on the roster this spring. I know he tried to change his swing, and that lead to some trouble at the plate, but you would hope he would breakout sooner or later. Edited March 19, 2006 by RME JICO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(RME JICO @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 01:10 AM) If Iguchi continues to struggle, do the Sox put Cintron in to start at 2B? Iguchi is batting .118 this spring. Maybe if he's hitting .118 on May 15th. No way you try that now. Gooch deserves the benefit of the doubt in this case. He was experimenting with his swing earlier in the spring, he's since then gone back to his normal swing. He's looked much better at the plate the last couple days. Gooch will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 02:51 AM) Maybe if he's hitting .118 on May 15th. No way you try that now. Gooch deserves the benefit of the doubt in this case. He was experimenting with his swing earlier in the spring, he's since then gone back to his normal swing. He's looked much better at the plate the last couple days. Gooch will be fine. That is what ST if for, to work on things, get in shape, etc. I don't think they will pull the plug on Iguchi now, but if April 2nd rolls around and he is still struggling, can the Sox afford to keep him in the lineup? The worst thing would be for the Sox to get off to a bad start. 15 of their first 18 games are vs the Central. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(RME JICO @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 02:08 AM) That is what ST if for, to work on things, get in shape, etc. I don't think they will pull the plug on Iguchi now, but if April 2nd rolls around and he is still struggling, can the Sox afford to keep him in the lineup? The worst thing would be for the Sox to get off to a bad start. 15 of their first 18 games are vs the Central. How many times did Ozzie refer to Gooch as his "MVP" last season? Gooch would have to sucks balls well into May for Ozzie to even consider benching him in favor of Cintron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jphat007 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(RME JICO @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 01:10 AM) If Iguchi continues to struggle, do the Sox put Cintron in to start at 2B? Iguchi is batting .118 this spring. LOL. About as close to zero as you can get. Iguchi will be the starting 2b until his contract runs out at the end of 07. Who cares what he is hitting in ST? It doesn't matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AirScott Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(Jordan4life_2006 @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 03:11 AM) How many times did Ozzie refer to Gooch as his "MVP" last season? Gooch would have to sucks balls well into May for Ozzie to even consider benching him in favor of Cintron. damn right...that's my input here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 19, 2006 Author Share Posted March 19, 2006 (edited) Wow, really. If that is the case, would the Sox move Iguchi for a middle reliever, or would they hang onto him? Iguchi seems to be in a bad spot. He was supposed to excel in his new spot in the order, and he has actually hit worse than almost every player on the roster this spring. I know he tried to change his swing, and that lead to some trouble at the plate, but you would hope he would breakout sooner or later. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Iguchi is earning peanuts the next two seasons ($2.4 million this season, $3.25 million team option for 2007). He wouldn't even be worth trading considering the offensive production he can provide for our team. People must forget when we had Willie Harris and a washed-up Robbie Alomar starting at 2nd base. :puke We finally have our first good 2nd baseman since Ray Durham (whom we traded for the trash known as Jon Adkins, by the way). Let's not mess with a good thing. Edited March 19, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 18, 2006 -> 05:45 AM) http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sportsstory.asp?id=168263 I think Cintron is going to be Ozzie's new Timo so at least he's good. ^^^ Infield depth was a huge weakness last season. Thats totally been fixed with adding MAC and Cintron. Once again........... to KW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted March 19, 2006 Share Posted March 19, 2006 QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Mar 19, 2006 -> 11:15 AM) Infield depth was a huge weakness last season. Thats totally been fixed with adding MAC and Cintron. Once again........... to KW. One other really nice thing about getting Cintron...now we have someone who can come off the bench late in games and Bunt when Dye or Crede are up with guys on, which is something we didn't have at all last year (I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers those painful attempts at bunting by Dye) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.