With Starlin Castro and Ryan Theriot locking down the middle infield for the foreseeable future, former pseudo-starting second baseman Mike Fontenot could very well prove a luxury on the bench that the Cubs would prefer to explore trading.
If Castro does what his talent promises, and he sticks this season, Fontenot’s longer-term place with the Cubs doesn’t look any firmer than the short term.
”I’m trying not to think about what next year holds, or the future,” said Fontenot, who signed a $1 million deal as an arbitration-eligible player last winter and who turns 30 next month. ”Hopefully, as long as you play well, you’ll have a spot.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
You have to wonder whether a sufficient number of teams view Fontenot as an upgrade at second base to create a trade market. He’s hitting .311 with a .750 OPS – starting-caliber numbers to be sure, but his defense leaves something to be desired. Further, he’s put up those numbers facing predominantly right-handed pitching.