11/07: Miguel Cabrera
Posted by: Patrick
Miguel Cabrera is the topic of the day. Will Carroll and Tyler Kepner have some details on what the Marlins could be looking for in a swap. Carroll:
Kepner:
Miguel Cabrera is a tremendous offensive player. He could certainly start at first base, giving us a big offensive boost both in what we have now and what the position produced in 2007. We should definitely explore it.
With Pettitte opting out, let's assume he doesn't come back. That gives us a rotation of Wang, Hughes, Joba, Ian and Moose. And Joba and Phil will have innings restrictions on them. If we trade one of the big three, let's say Ian - then it's Wang, Hughes, Joba, Moose and ? We scored 81 more runs than anyone in baseball last year. Yes, we lost A-Rod and we should aim to make up some of that offense (getting more production out of 1B would certainly be a start), but our starters ERA was a medicre 8th in the A.L. at 4.57. Our team ERA was also 8th at 4.49. The best ERA in the A.L. The Red Sox (the only team with an ERA under 4).
For this reason, I think we need to keep the big three. This is a strength, let's build on it. If Andy comes back, we should be in terrific shape. If he doesn't, we're in good shape, but if he doesn't and we trade one of them, who comes in to fill spot? The cream of the free agent market are pitchers like Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva. Internally, is anyone ready? Do we want to take the chance? Yes, we'll gain on offense, but is it worth it? I'd have to pass. Mark Feinsand reports that Brian Cashman may make an offer including such players as Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Tabata. I'd be more amendable to that, I think. But, in any case, one of our organizational strengths at the moment is young starting pitching and that's not something we've had for a while, so we should be careful how we use it. Maybe I'm overvaluing Kennedy by lumping him in with the other two, but having these three guys, with their talent and the MLB regular and postseason experience they had in 2007, under our control for years to come, is not something I'd take lightly and is something that I'd hesitate to trade for a questionable fielding first baseman at this stage, even one as good with the stick as Mr. Cabrera.
Alex Rodriguez isn’t headed anywhere yet, but he can cross Miami off his list. He’s not one to give a hometown discount and Jeffrey Loria’s not raising payroll. That means that one of the team’s big two is gone and everyone’s expecting it to be Miguel Cabrera. “He’s at the end of his time at 3B,” the baseball source told me, “but he’s still good enough to play 1B. They won’t get quite as much as [Jon Daniels] did for Mark Teixeira, but they’re looking for a different payoff.” The rumored asking price is three players - one pitcher and position player that are under three years of service time and “solid ink-’em-in guys.” The other would be a “plus prospect, not the best guy on the team, but useful. The Marlins will probably look for a slugger.”
Kepner:
Executives from other teams say the Marlins would demand a center fielder and one or two premier young pitchers in return for Cabrera. In the Yankees’ case, that would mean Melky Cabrera and Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, perhaps with Ian Kennedy thrown in.
Miguel Cabrera is a tremendous offensive player. He could certainly start at first base, giving us a big offensive boost both in what we have now and what the position produced in 2007. We should definitely explore it.
With Pettitte opting out, let's assume he doesn't come back. That gives us a rotation of Wang, Hughes, Joba, Ian and Moose. And Joba and Phil will have innings restrictions on them. If we trade one of the big three, let's say Ian - then it's Wang, Hughes, Joba, Moose and ? We scored 81 more runs than anyone in baseball last year. Yes, we lost A-Rod and we should aim to make up some of that offense (getting more production out of 1B would certainly be a start), but our starters ERA was a medicre 8th in the A.L. at 4.57. Our team ERA was also 8th at 4.49. The best ERA in the A.L. The Red Sox (the only team with an ERA under 4).
For this reason, I think we need to keep the big three. This is a strength, let's build on it. If Andy comes back, we should be in terrific shape. If he doesn't, we're in good shape, but if he doesn't and we trade one of them, who comes in to fill spot? The cream of the free agent market are pitchers like Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva. Internally, is anyone ready? Do we want to take the chance? Yes, we'll gain on offense, but is it worth it? I'd have to pass. Mark Feinsand reports that Brian Cashman may make an offer including such players as Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf and Jose Tabata. I'd be more amendable to that, I think. But, in any case, one of our organizational strengths at the moment is young starting pitching and that's not something we've had for a while, so we should be careful how we use it. Maybe I'm overvaluing Kennedy by lumping him in with the other two, but having these three guys, with their talent and the MLB regular and postseason experience they had in 2007, under our control for years to come, is not something I'd take lightly and is something that I'd hesitate to trade for a questionable fielding first baseman at this stage, even one as good with the stick as Mr. Cabrera.
