Alex

Cintron

It could happen today. The D’Backs want to find more time for Jerry Gil at shortstop, but we don’t see how sacrificing Scott Hairston’s playing time is the answer here, even if Pedrique thinks Hairston’s defense needs work. Hairston has a 776 OPS to Cintron’s 648.

The Diamondbacks are considering signing a free agent shortstop and letting Cintron battle Matt Kata for the second base job. Just something to watch out for in the offseason.

Cintron is also working out at first base, although it’s Tony Clark who will back up Chad Tracy there.

We like the move since Tony Womack isn’t showing much and it gives Cintron and Junior Spivey a chance to play together in the infield. It creates a bit of a lineup problem, though, since Cintron isn’t an ideal leadoff hitter. Brenly said he could work in outfielder Quinton McCracken, as he did on Wednesday, or perhaps Steve Finley in the role. Finley’s fantasy value would suffer if he’s not hitting in an RBI spot, but it won’t take the hit Womack’s value will take.

Brenly’s preferred arrangement is to have Steve Finley lead off and be followed by Roberto Alomar, Luis Gonzalez, Richie Sexson, Cintron, Shea Hillenbrand, Danny Bautista and Robby Hammock. If Cintron sticks in the fifth spot, his fantasy value would get a boost. He could drive in 100 runs even if he doesn’t play as well as he did last year.

“I told him (Cintron) you’re going to be playing every day,” said new manager Al Pedrique. “He needs to get back to the routine that he had in Tucson last year and a few years ago,” said Pedrique, who also managed Cintron at the Triple-A level. “The main thing for him is he needs to go out there and relax. I think that he was trying too hard to put up numbers right away. He had a great year last year with the Diamondbacks. He wants to prove himself to the organization that he’s an everyday shortstop. At the same time, I thought that he was putting a lot of pressure on himself.” Hopefully playing everyday will help Cintron have a better second half than his current first one .244/.339/.290. He remains a viable option in most fantasy leagues.

“He’s been playing almost every game and I thought it was the right time - a day game after a night game - to give him a little break,” manager Al Pedrique said. Just in case you were wondering why he wasn’t in the D-Backs’ lineup.

Tim Olson started in his place and went 0-for-3. Cintron, who entered the game as defensive replacement, apologized for missing the practice, and should be back in the Diamondbacks’ lineup this evening.

The win was the second in seven games for the ChiSox. Cintron also singled and walked while filling in for Juan Uribe at shortstop. The performance would almost have to earn him another start on Wednesday, though it remains unlikely that he’ll overtake Uribe on the depth chart.

Cintron is day-to-day. Craig Counsell played shortstop against the Padres.