Melky Cabrera

[MattMan]

Just hit his first career Grand Slam. he's going to be teriffic. I think that if he keeps up his play this season, Sheffield might be done with the Yanks. Thoughts?

[dwalsh]

I agree that Sheff is done with the Yankees... its his contract year and i cant see them resigning him or picking up his option.

If you remember last week (i think vs. the Mets) he just missed a Grand Slam by inches when it hit off the very top of the wall

[FITM]

Well, you guys currently have none of your starting outfielders at the moment. Good luck. He looks to be a stud.

[dwalsh]

Next year, i would love to see this outfield.

Matsui-Damon-Cabrera

Even though Cabrera has done better in left this year, he seems like he can move to right and still do well in the field.

[daking231]

I dont know if Cabrera's Production would be good enough over a full season.Also it is the yankees and knowing them they will sign a free agent OFer to fill RF next season.

[MattMan]

Next year, i would love to see this outfield.

Matsui-Damon-Cabrera

Even though Cabrera has done better in left this year, he seems like he can move to right and still do well in the field.
yeah, that would be a hell of an outfield

[hazmat]

What's his slugging percentage?

[The Future]

Congrats Melky :)

[daking231]

.344 is his slugging % before tonight's game.

[AMJets]

And he just made a very nice defensive play.

You know, the same guy who was supposed to be a bad defensive player. :rofl2:

[kinghenry89]

And he just made a very nice defensive play.

You know, the same guy who was supposed to be a bad defensive player. :rofl2:
Hey, I'm totally willing to eat a slice of humble pie on that one. When I was ripping on Melky it was because he was struggling defensively (an even more death-defying version of the Matsui circus in left field) and not that great offensively either.

That Billy Wagner meltdown game agains the Mets was the turning point of his season IMO, when he worked back from down in the count to get a 10 or 12 pitch walk. Ever since that he's been a very patient hitter and, as you noted, an excellent fielder.

Good for Melky, I'm certainly in his corner at this point.

[dwalsh]

I dont know if Cabrera's Production would be good enough over a full season.Also it is the yankees and knowing them they will sign a free agent OFer to fill RF next season.

He'll probably end the year with about 12 homeruns. Then this entire off-season, he will have the help of the Major League trainers and bulk up a little and fine-tune his skills. Prior to this year, he has only been in the minors with minor league help. With a season under his belt, he should mature a lot as a player, and improve next year.

[Jetfanmack]

Melky's not a stud yet. He was a high average hitter in the minors, but he doesn't have exceptional speed, and he hasn't shown much power. He's still very young, though, so it's still too early to say how good he will be.

[dwalsh]

Melky's not a stud yet. He was a high average hitter in the minors, but he doesn't have exceptional speed, and he hasn't shown much power. He's still very young, though, so it's still too early to say how good he will be.

yeah, definately... we are just saying taht we like what we see and can't wait to see him develope and see what he becomes. But i disagree with you on the speed comment. He has good speed, both on the base paths and in the field.

[DROB63Cmart28]

Melky Cabrera is great. If Sheff comes back next year it will be as a DH if he doesnt come back were gonna have to go out and get another good hitter who can play the outfield or just leave Phillips at 1st and Giambi at DH.

[kinghenry89]

Melky Cabrera is great. If Sheff comes back next year it will be as a DH if he doesnt come back were gonna have to go out and get another good hitter who can play the outfield or just leave Phillips at 1st and Giambi at DH.
It was up in the air whether or not Sheffield was coming back before he threw a hissy fit in Spring Training and got injured. Now the question in my mind is will the Yankees pursue Alfonso Soriano or will they give the job to Cabrera.

I tend to assume the latter option will happen.

[AMJets]

yeah, definately... we are just saying taht we like what we see and can't wait to see him develope and see what he becomes. But i disagree with you on the speed comment. He has good speed, both on the base paths and in the field.

Not so much him having good speed as it is him being a smart base-runner, makes him look faster than he really is. Like Bernie Williams in his prime.

[kinghenry89]

Not so much him having good speed as it is him being a smart base-runner, makes him look faster than he really is. Like Bernie Williams in his prime.
Or Paul O'Neill, who remarkably managed to steal more than 13 bases 5 times in his career, including a 22 steal season in his final year.

[ButtleMan]

I agree that Sheff is done with the Yankees... its his contract year and i cant see them resigning him or picking up his option.

If you remember last week (i think vs. the Mets) he just missed a Grand Slam by inches when it hit off the very top of the wall

I didnt think Sheff was coming back next year at the beginning of this season.

I would rather the Yankees use that Sheff money for pitching help next year.

[DROB63Cmart28]

It was up in the air whether or not Sheffield was coming back before he threw a hissy fit in Spring Training and got injured. Now the question in my mind is will the Yankees pursue Alfonso Soriano or will they give the job to Cabrera.

I tend to assume the latter option will happen.

i think we should give Melky the job but then again i think we should wait the rest of the season to find out.

[JetsVilma28]

Got Melky?

[DROB63Cmart28]

Got Melky?

Im about buy one of those shirts their nice.

[dwalsh]

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[nyscene911]

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I thought the quote was "The Melkman always knocks twice"

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[DonnieIsTheKing]

.344 is his slugging % before tonight's game.
Yahoo! has it listed as .375. That's a .728 OPS... Sheffield won't get his option for this guy because Melky's still young, he's healthy, and he has talent.

[Jake]

I'd like to bring Sheff back as a DH. Melky looks good.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Melky Shmelky *Yawn*

[DROB63Cmart28]

Melky Shmelky *Yawn*

Please your just jelous because lastings milleage couldnt handle the big leagues let alone a fly ball:rofl: .

[ButtleMan]

Please your just jelous because lastings milleage couldnt handle the big leagues let alone a fly ball:rofl: .


Melky couldnt handle the majors his first call up either, last year.

[DROB63Cmart28]

Melky couldnt handle the majors his first call up either, last year.

Yea but Melky was only 20 when he got called up and didnt have as much experience in the minors like milleage has.

[nyscene911]

Yea but Melky was only 20 when he got called up and didnt have as much experience in the minors like milleage has.
And Milledge just turned 21. Their first experiences in the big leagues are very comparable to each other.

[ButtleMan]

Yea but Melky was only 20 when he got called up and didnt have as much experience in the minors like milleage has.


WTF are you talking about????
I'm calling bullshit on this explanation.

Give me proof on this and then I will believe.

[xjets2002x]

First.

Fenway Park is very difficult to handle for a newcomer.

Second.

Melky Cabrera was a defensive embarrassment last season. It's undeniable. It's absurd to goof on a guy when your guy was just as bad if not worse last season. Milledge misplayed the wall. Cabrera was dropping balls. Besides that, Milledge made several spectacular plays that offset it and let you know that he was no defensive liability. Cabrera didn't do that until this season.


Cabrera is a nice player, but you have to wonder how high his upside is. I think the Yankees should make the right decision and trade him while his value is still high. I just don't see enough upside for the Yankees to be comfortable starting him every day. With their penchant for big money players I just don't see him being an irreplaceable guy down the line. Perhaps he will continue his tear through July but he can't have any more months like June. If he starts to swoon and you can add a guy who can produce more RBI's and play equivalent defense, you have to make the move. The AL Central is too good this year for the Yankees to be playing for anything more than a division title, and we all know that it's always win-now time at Yankee Stadium.

-X-

[ButtleMan]

Yea but Melky was only 20 when he got called up and didnt have as much experience in the minors like milleage has.

Melky played in the minors from 2002-2005 plus some 2006. He was born 8/11/84. Which would make him 20 when he had his first call up. He only played in 6 games and showed to be completely overmatched at the majors level.

Milledge graduated from HS in 2003 and went right to the minors. So 2003-2005 plus some 2006. He was born 4/5/85 which would make him 21.
Milledge played in approx 20 games and showed some promise and some youthful mistakes.
There is an 8 month gap in age between the two.

Care to correct your bs statement at all?

[3rdAnd15Draw]

To be fair, Milledge dropped 2 fly balls that had nothing to do with the wall, unless he's Bobby Abreu Jr.

[ButtleMan]

First.

Fenway Park is very difficult to handle for a newcomer.

Second.

Melky Cabrera was a defensive embarrassment last season. It's undeniable. It's absurd to goof on a guy when your guy was just as bad if not worse last season. Milledge misplayed the wall. Cabrera was dropping balls. Besides that, Milledge made several spectacular plays that offset it and let you know that he was no defensive liability. Cabrera didn't do that until this season.


Cabrera is a nice player, but you have to wonder how high his upside is. I think the Yankees should make the right decision and trade him while his value is still high. I just don't see enough upside for the Yankees to be comfortable starting him every day. With their penchant for big money players I just don't see him being an irreplaceable guy down the line. Perhaps he will continue his tear through July but he can't have any more months like June. If he starts to swoon and you can add a guy who can produce more RBI's and play equivalent defense, you have to make the move. The AL Central is too good this year for the Yankees to be playing for anything more than a division title, and we all know that it's always win-now time at Yankee Stadium.

-X-

I disagree with the upside thing. The more that I see him play the better he gets.
He is still only 21 soon to be 22 and is learning on the job. The difference between this year and last years call up is monumental.
Cabrera only played in 6 games last year! There wasnt a chance for him to make up for his defensive blunders.
I think that he could be as good as Carl Crawford but with less steals.
However, if the Yankees do want to get a high profile starting pitcher before the tradeline, Melky is a huge bargaining chip as he has shown that he can play at this level and has a friendly contract.

[dwalsh]

bump...

I was just thinking about this watching the game. Do you guys see any of Bernie in Cabrera? Bernie probably had a little more power, but a young, switch hitter center fielder (Melky got moved to the corners). Just throwing it out there

[AlioTheFool]

bump...

I was just thinking about this watching the game. Do you guys see any of Bernie in Cabrera? Bernie probably had a little more power, but a young, switch hitter center fielder (Melky got moved to the corners). Just throwing it out there

Nope. I don't see Bernie in Cabrera. Melky has an ARM. As good a Sheff's and O'Neil's arms are/were, I haven't seen an arm as strong as Cabrera's since Dave Winfield in Yankee Stadium. Melky belongs in right field in Yankee Stadium (though I wouldn't mind seeing him in center.)

As for the other tools, yeah I agree. Offensively, he appears to be a young Bernie. I think Melky has the potential to hit more longballs than Bernie over his career though. Especially with Mattingly working with him.

[King Koopa]

bump...

I was just thinking about this watching the game. Do you guys see any of Bernie in Cabrera? Bernie probably had a little more power, but a young, switch hitter center fielder (Melky got moved to the corners). Just throwing it out there

similar, yes.....melky has a much better arm though and as you said probably less power at the plate.....i really like melky but he my not be "good enough" for steinbrenner as a corner outfielder which i think is bs

[AlioTheFool]

similar, yes.....melky has a much better arm though and as you said probably less power at the plate.....i really like melky but he my not be "good enough" for steinbrenner as a corner outfielder which i think is bs

I don't know. I don't think the Boss is looking to unload Melky. From everything I have seen, the only one looking to deal Cabrera is Cashman, which I think is a mistake. This kid is one of the faces of the future for this franchise, and letting him go now is a mistake IMO.

Unless they can get some very solid young pitching for him, we should hang on to him.

[King Koopa]

I don't know. I don't think the Boss is looking to unload Melky. From everything I have seen, the only one looking to deal Cabrera is Cashman, which I think is a mistake. This kid is one of the faces of the future for this franchise, and letting him go now is a mistake IMO.

Unless they can get some very solid young pitching for him, we should hang on to him.

well i hope your right that the boss likes him becuse then cashman really can't unload him...imo if we could get back soriano i wouldn't have trouble dealing him, or possibly a young good pitcher....but no trading him for someone like bobby abreu or an older veteran pitcher....that would be awful

[AlioTheFool]

well i hope your right that the boss likes him becuse then cashman really can't unload him...imo if we could get back soriano i wouldn't have trouble dealing him, or possibly a young good pitcher....but no trading him for someone like bobby abreu or an older veteran pitcher....that would be awful

Long term, I see Cabrera as better than Soriano, so I wouldn't make the move. Either for some really good young pitching, or no deal.

[King Koopa]

Long term, I see Cabrera as better than Soriano, so I wouldn't make the move. Either for some really good young pitching, or no deal.

i guess it's just a personal thing that i like soriano's loose cannon way of playing...he was also my fav player as a yankee so maybe you're right.....but you really see cabrera as being better???? very bold statement, i sure hope so

[MisterMoss]

I used to be Soriano's biggest fan, but that 2003 World Series really bothered me, and I also came to the realization that Soriano is more about Soriano than he is about the team he plays for. So I'd stay away from him.

[AMJets]

bump...

I was just thinking about this watching the game. Do you guys see any of Bernie in Cabrera? Bernie probably had a little more power, but a young, switch hitter center fielder (Melky got moved to the corners). Just throwing it out there

No. They're not similar at all. Melky will never be the hitter that Bernie in his prime was. Melky is better defensively, and has a much better arm.

[dwalsh]

WALK-OFF HOME RUN FOR MELKY CABRERA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wow.

[Jonathan_Vilma]

No. They're not similar at all. Melky will never be the hitter that Bernie in his prime was. Melky is better defensively, and has a much better arm.
Bernie was a top 5 hitter in baseball from 96'-00'. If we ever get that out of Melky then we should be damn grateful. If anything I see him as more of a Paul O'Neil type of player, although O'Neil had a cannon when he wanted to use it.

[FirstTimeCaller]

Paul Oneil and Bernie Williams? Don't you think we're getting a little carried away here? He'll be lucky to have a career as good as Reggie Sanders.

[GreenMachine]

Paul Oneil and Bernie Williams? Don't you think we're getting a little carried away here? He'll be lucky to have a career as good as Reggie Sanders.
After all...he is no Lastings Milledge:wink:

[FirstTimeCaller]

After all...he is no Lastings Milledge:wink:


Well he certainly doesn't have the talent of Lastings Milledge... but that wasn't my point. Sanders has had a respectable career with a few strong seasons, I think it's generous to put Melky's upside in that neighborhood. He's not going to have the Powerhouse Yankee line up around him his whole career... I see him as a joruneyman. Comparing him to Bernie and P.O. is an insult to some of your best players of the past 20 years.

[GreenMachine]

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[Jetfanmack]

Gonna wear my Melky jersey proudly (again) to the game in 10 hours or so.

[AlioTheFool]

Well he certainly doesn't have the talent of Lastings Milledge...

Wow, can I get some of that stuff you're smoking?

Cabrerra was brought up to the majors at 19 years old, simply because he was regarded around the league as probably the best player in the minors. Not the best player in the Yankee farm system, in the minors.

I'm not doubting the talent of Milledge. I have said a few times, based on what I have seen of him, he will be a big star one day, but damn, Melky is a star NOW.

Is this what it's like over in Metland? I wasn't aware there was that much weed in the world...:ohmy:

[FirstTimeCaller]

Wow, can I get some of that stuff you're smoking?

Cabrerra was brought up to the majors at 19 years old, simply because he was regarded around the league as probably the best player in the minors. Not the best player in the Yankee farm system, in the minors.

I'm not doubting the talent of Milledge. I have said a few times, based on what I have seen of him, he will be a big star one day, but damn, Melky is a star NOW.

Is this what it's like over in Metland? I wasn't aware there was that much weed in the world...:ohmy:


You're saying Melky is a "star" now (AVG .276 | HR 4 | RBI 30 | OBP .355 | SLG .385 ) and that he was brought up to the majors at 19 (more like 21 years old last September for six games when the bench expanded) because he was the best player in the minors.... and you want to know what I'm smoking?!?!?!?! :lol: :rofl2:

Not even the biggest Melker around here would agree with that pile of nonsense.

[JetsVilma28]

I woke up this morning, and all I could say is where the F*ck is the Melky Cabrear Thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Yankees!!!!

[ButtleMan]

You're saying Melky is a "star" now (AVG .276 | HR 4 | RBI 30 | OBP .355 | SLG .385 ) and that he was brought up to the majors at 19 (more like 21 years old last September for six games when the bench expanded) because he was the best player in the minors.... and you want to know what I'm smoking?!?!?!?! :lol: :rofl2:

Not even the biggest Melker around here would agree with that pile of nonsense.

Melky's 6 game stint last year was in the middle of the year when Bernie was hurtingm not in september and he was 20 when he was called up.
I thought this was covered a few months ago.
I think a better comparison for Melky might be Bobby Abreu. I see alot of similarities between the 2.
Bobby started off the same way with the Astros.
Melky's game has gotten much better since he was called up. He keeps getting better and better on offense and defense.
I really hope that they Yankees keep him. I look forward to the day that Philip Hughes, Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera are the foundation of the next dynasty.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

are people in this thread for real? top prospect in baseball? abreu comparisons? just settle down a little please.

[ButtleMan]

are people in this thread for real? top prospect in baseball? abreu comparisons? just settle down a little please.

I never said that he was the top prospect in baseball.

Abreu's first 3 years.

1996 Houston Astros 15 22 1 5 1 0 0 1 6 2 3 0 0 .292 .273 .227
1997 Houston Astros 59 188 22 47 10 2 3 26 70 21 48 7 2 .329 .372 .250
1998 Philadelphia Phillies 151 497 68 155 29 6 17 74 247 84 133 19 10 .409 .497 .312

It was in 99 that Abreu really broke out. If Melky can get get close to Abreu's 98 next year, I will be extremely happy.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

abreu also tore through the minors, putting up great numbers along the way, while cabrera has done nothing to suggest that he's anything more then a 4th OF. which is fine, he's been forced to the majors too soon with all the injuries and has filled in and done an OK job. that doesn't mean that he's going to turn into an MLB superstar.

98 was definately abreu's "breakout" year btw, that's a monster season for someone that was essentially a rookie.

[ButtleMan]

abreu also tore through the minors, putting up great numbers along the way, while cabrera has done nothing to suggest that he's anything more then a 4th OF. which is fine, he's been forced to the majors too soon with all the injuries and has filled in and done an OK job. that doesn't mean that he's going to turn into an MLB superstar.

98 was definately abreu's "breakout" year btw, that's a monster season for someone that was essentially a rookie.

It doesnt mean that he will be a MLB superstar. Delmon Young isnt guaranteed to be a MLB superstar.
Mike Piazza was what, a 60th rd draft pick and look what happened with him.
Brien Taylor was supposed to be a god and he crapped out.
Melky today is better than Melky 2 months ago and with his age I think that he will only get better and he can be part of the foundation with Cano, Hughes, maybe Tabata of the next Yankee Dynasty.
I really wouldnt want him to get traded and turn out to be another Jay Buhner or even Carl Everett, talent wise.
Will he become a superstar? I have no idea but he is on his way to at least becoming a very good MLB player.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

It doesnt mean that he will be a MLB superstar. Delmon Young isnt guaranteed to be a MLB superstar.
Mike Piazza was what, a 60th rd draft pick and look what happened with him.
Brien Taylor was supposed to be a god and he crapped out.
Melky today is better than Melky 2 months ago and with his age I think that he will only get better and he can be part of the foundation with Cano, Hughes, maybe Tabata of the next Yankee Dynasty.
I really wouldnt want him to get traded and turn out to be another Jay Buhner or even Carl Everett, talent wise.
Will he become a superstar? I have no idea but he is on his way to at least becoming a very good MLB player.

This happens all the time with low to mid level prospects. They get called up when they're fairly young, get some AB's, do decently and people assume they are going to improve and that they have a good player on their hands.

Look at Victor Diaz for the Mets last year(who's hit in the minors, unlike Melky) he came in and amassed a decent number of AB's and was significantly better then Melky has been. This year he can't beat out Xavier Nady, is back in AAA and stinking it up there.

[AMJets]

Wow, can I get some of that stuff you're smoking?

Cabrerra was brought up to the majors at 19 years old, simply because he was regarded around the league as probably the best player in the minors. Not the best player in the Yankee farm system, in the minors.

I'm not doubting the talent of Milledge. I have said a few times, based on what I have seen of him, he will be a big star one day, but damn, Melky is a star NOW.

Is this what it's like over in Metland? I wasn't aware there was that much weed in the world...:ohmy:

You're not serious, are you? Melky was nowhere close to being the top prospect in baseball, he was barely a top 5 prospect in the Yankee organization.

[boogerstyles]

You're not serious, are you? Melky was nowhere close to being the top prospect in baseball, he was barely a top 5 prospect in the Yankee organization.


no melky wasn't a top prospect, but he has certainly developed into one. he also was not scouted correctly. vicotr martinez is a terrible comparison. if you look at melk's strengths, you can see why the organization is excited about him. he's got a strong and accurate arm ( i believe the initial scouting report was a "plus" arm, which is prob an understatement) and he's an excellent two strike hitter. he's also shown that he can take the ball the other way, and flashed a power stroke at times. he's also faster than he looks-- has potential to steal 30 bases if he's taught some technique. he is also not a defensive liability at all, in fact, i think he's better than matsui out there by a long shot.

melky might not be a superstar, but for a 21 year old kid, you have to say hes had quite an impressive rookie campaign. the fact is, he's still pretty raw, but he really has been a shot in the arm for this yankee squad.

[dwalsh]

Melky today is better than Melky 2 months ago and with his age I think that he will only get better and he can be part of the foundation with Cano, Hughes, maybe Tabata of the next Yankee Dynasty.

what about Clippard?