Saturday, November 10, 2007

Hot Corner A Hot Topic

Miguel Cabrera very well could become the next Manny Ramirez. He hits for average, can crank 30+ homers and knock in 120 runs every season. Also like Manny, he has become criticized as an aloof superstar who can, at times, seem lazy, out of shape and selfish.

The above photo was taken at a game I attended this August. We were literally inches away from Cabrera and though he has certainly added substantial weight to the waif-like frame we saw his rookie year, he is by no means "fat." He may need to add some muscle, which is by no means a large undertaking, but he is not the belt-busting sloth some media outlets are inferring.

Season Averages [162 games]:
.313 AVG - .388 OBP - .542 SLG - 31 HR - 118 RBI - 41 2B - .930 OPS
And for such a sloppy, donut toting, wide-body, he sure doesn't miss many games. During his four full seasons in MLB, Cabrera's played no fewer than 157 games. Over the past three years his numbers in the clutch have been outstanding... With the bases juiced Cabrera hit .405; with runners on he hit .343; with RISP he hit .357; RISP & 2 outs he hit .307 and with men on third < 2 outs he hit a gaudy .397.

As in life, you have to give something to get something. And in Cabrera's case, a trading partner will have to give a lot.

Cashman will wait out the Marlins in the hopes of seeing their demands come down a bit. Instead of asking for Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and the Ghost of Lou Gehrig, Florida may eventually accept a swap involving Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera and Mark Melancon/Humberto Sanchez.

The Steinbrenner who likes to talk [Hank], recently weighed in on any potential deal for the young slugger by saying, “It’s pretty obvious which players we’re not going to trade. Chamberlain, Hughes and even Kennedy. Not for a position player.”

That doesn't rule out New York flipping some of those chips in return for Johan Santana.

Again, the widespread panic toward Cabrera's long term health and/or weight issues does not seem warranted, but it is also cannot be overlooked. In my opinion, Miggy is the heir apparent to Manny. Patient at the plate, totally unphased by pressure or 0-2 counts and capable of climbing out of bed, stepping onto the diamond and knocking in the gamewinning run.
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Up Next: The Tale of Two Miggy's

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