Jorge

Cantu

Provided Upton will be sound enough defensively to play third on a full-time basis next season, Julio Lugo will be the team’s shortstop. That frees up second base for Cantu, who has hit an impressive .300 with nine doubles and six RBI in 21 games this season for the Rays.

Mark Grudzielanek, Alex Cora and maybe even Miguel Cairo are candidates to be signed to start over Cantu.

Cantu, who knocked in the Rays’ go-ahead run in the sixth inning in Tampa’s 7-2 victory over Baltimore yesterday afternoon, will be used regularly according to manager Lou Piniella. This is bad news for Rey Sanchez. Keep an eye on Cantu. Although he may lack a strong hitting pedigree, he has had an exceptional season to date, and he is only 22 years old.

Julio Lugo, Aubrey Huff and Jonny Gomes added solo shots, giving Tampa Bay a season-high five home runs. Cantu, who had gone 26 games without a homer, now has three in two days.

The homer was the 16th for Cantu, but it was his first in 26 games since the All-Star break. At least he’s still driving in runs at a nice rate. He has 74 RBI in 106 games this season.

Cantu had five homers and 16 RBI in 25 games last month, but he just hasn’t been much of an asset to the Rays or fantasy teams this season. His average is down to .251 and it might not bounce back far.

Mixed leaguers can wait a couple of days to activate Cantu, but he should be good to go after a full week in the minors. His return will result in fewer at-bats for Travis Lee and Damon Hollins. Ty Wigginton should remain in the lineup most of the time.

Cantu went 1-for-7 in his first two games after being activated from the disabled list on Tuesday. It seems fine to activate him in mixed leagues.

Cantu was 0-for-5 with three strikeouts before coming up with the big hit. It was his first game of the season in the cleanup spot for the Rays.

Cantu is batting .292 with two homers and nine RBI in 11 games since returning from a foot injury. That the Devil Rays have hit Cantu cleanup for the last four games gives his value a slight boost.