...then seriously, what the fuck was the question in the first place?For the amount of machinations that the Jays are going to have to make use of in order to add this dude (or is that dud?) to the roster, you'd think they might want to go after someone who gives you more than Marco Scutaro can provide.
SUPERAWESOME UPDATE! The A's sign Cabrera! The A's sign Cabrera!
He's this year's David Eckstein, a player who gets by on his reputation more than actual game who they think they could get on a one-year deal for cheap. If they have to give up a draft pick or a "good" arm (a la League) then I'm against it, if they can get him cheap for a Frasor/Camp type arm then I'm kind of indifferent. I suspect they'd have to give away Johnny Mac too (for salary reasons and because they can only carry so many infielders) and that would make me sad because I love watching him play, but impartially, if the salaries line up, I honestly believe this team is slightly better off with Cabrera than Mac and Frasor. If they could give away Bautista for a bag of balls and then acquire Cabrera for Frasor at less than the combined salaries of Frasor/Bautista then I'd be fine with that too. I'm sure there are better ways to spend that money, but it looks like Ricciardi is limited in his options right now and probably wants to create some buzz.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know why everyone hates Bautista so much.
ReplyDeleteMark our words: Bautista's going to hit more homers this year than Lyle Overbay.
And Cabrera is going so suck ballsack.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Bautista's numbers work out to double Overbay's HRs factored over equivalent ABs, but I can't see him hitting nearly as many doubles (assuming Overbay is healthy which may be a big assumption), I suspect his OBP will be lower, and his 1B defense is not even close to Overbay's levels.
ReplyDeleteThe knock on Bautista is that we seem to have a plethora of utility infielders, and he seems to make a lot of money for less defensive utility than Scutaro, if he had Scutaro's defensive versatility I'd be calling for Scutaro to go instead. It just seems like there are so many better ways that money could have been spent, so his name stands out as most expendable when they talk about being limited in budget.
Meanwhile Cabrera has about as much offensive potential as Scutaro, but defense doesn't slump and he trumps Bautista there, so for the same money I'd rather have him.
The only reason Bautista would get enough plate appearances to exceed Overbay's homer count is if we trade Rolen, and after the team has made such a big deal about 2010 being the year, I don't see them staking their chances on being the high bidder on Adrian Beltre, because every other 3B who's a free agent next year sucks or is old or hurt.
ReplyDeleteRe-reading my comments I think I'm coming off wrong. I don't actively want Cabrera, there are plenty of available players I'd much rather have. However, I do believe there is potential to improve this team slightly with him without losing anything important, and unlike some other options I believe that his name means the Jays would consider it just for the pub.
ReplyDeleteSeeing Rolen or Overbay at the plate is fucking depressing
ReplyDeleteWho wants to see them quietly try to draw a walk ?
I'd rather see Bautista burn out by hacking away with an ugly strike out, than watch those two fade away
I wonder how much A's fans miss Scutaro...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Oakland.
ReplyDeleteThe update is great news. I'm glad the Jays didn't go for that -- even though this off-season sometimes makes me wistful for the Interbrew days. The only way I would want them to sign Cabrera at this stage of his career is if it cost them nothing.
ReplyDeleteIt's been said before on these pages, but I'll say it again: if only Jim Balsillie loved baseball.