Marlins Trade Jorge Cantu To Rangers For Pitchers Evan Reed, Omar Poveda

Oftentimes, it's rare that a long-standing rumor comes to fruition. Other times, though, a rumor is a rumor because it makes a ton of sense, and Thursday afternoon, we've seen the Marlins finally trade Jorge Cantu to the Rangers:

#Marlins' return for Cantu will be Double A RHP Evan Reed & Double A RHP Omar Poveda, who is on DL recovering from TJ surgery.

The key to the trade may be this bit of help from Florida, via Bob Nightengale:

The Marlins have informed the Rangers they are willing to pay most, if not all, of the remainder of Jorge Cantu's contract.

By relieving the Rangers' salary concerns, the Marlins made such a trade possible and guaranteed themselves a better return.

Cantu, 28, is a right-handed 1B/3B who in the past has shown a good amount of power. His numbers are down this season - his .408 slugging percentage is a good deal off from 2008's .481 - but the track record is there, and if nothing else he can make a platoon partner for Texas' struggling young first baseman Chris Davis. Davis has hit just .188 on the year with zero home runs, and is 10-53 in July since returning from the minors.

Reed is a 24 year old righty reliever who was recently promoted to AAA. With AA Frisco, he posted 34 strikeouts and 13 walks in 39 innings, and works off a fastball he can get into the mid-90s.

Poveda, as mentioned, is currently rehabbing from ligament replacement surgery on his elbow, but the 22 year old righty starter has previously shown promise at the A-ball level. He has a fastball in the low-90s, a developing curve, and a changeup with very good deception and movement.

Look for more on the trade at Lone Star Ball, Fish Stripes, and SB Nation Dallas. This may end up being the Rangers' final move as they gear up for a playoff run.