"On paper, Jorge Cantu replaces Jerry Hairston Jr. as the super-sub on the Padres bench this season.

Although he can't play shortstop, Cantu has been an Opening Day starter in the major leagues at three different infield positions -- first, second and third. He has hit 101 homers with 460 RBI over 790 major league games.

But his role on the field, which could be expanded to a starter if there is slippage elsewhere, might not be the biggest shoes Cantu will be filling this season.

In case you hadn't noticed, Adrian Gonzalez is gone, meaning the Padres lost their homegrown link to the baseball fans they are courting in Mexico.

But in signing Cantu, the Padres have re-established the connection. And in the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Cantu the Padres may have signed a player who is probably more popular throughout the whole of Mexico than Gonzalez, if not along the San Diego-Tijuana border.

Remember the World Baseball Classics of 2006 and 2009?

The chants of Cantu! Cantu! Can-do! Cantu!

Remember Cantu holding the Mexican flag above his head from the steps of Angel Stadium in 2006? Or pointing toward the Mexican fans while rounding third after homering in Phoenix?"