Cabrera for Cabrera ?

Miguel Cabrera	Andruw Jones

(Photos courtesy of Damian Strohmeyer and Getty Images)

by Jimmy Russotto                                                                        

11/2/07

The Yankees solved one piece of their 2008 picture today by picking up the option on Bobby Abreu, their terrific right fielder, for 16 million dollars.  They also reportedly extended Abreu for another two years for a total of about 49 million dollars.  A lot of money, maybe, but well worth it if Alex Rodriguez will go for at least 30 million dollars.

Of course, if the Yanks follow through on their promise NOT to pursue the illustrious Arod, they really have a huge problem in terms of productivity, especially if they ALSO lose Jorge Posada, who'll be capable of putting up 35 hr's and over 100 rbi's per year.  I expect the Yankees to reel in Posada though, even if they have to outbid several other teams to do so, maybe even the Dodgers, who just signed the Yanks former manager, Joe Torre.

A quick look at free agent third-basemen does not present a pretty picture for the Bronx Bombers.  It's not likely that they'd sign Mike Lowell of the Red Sox, and even if they did, it's highly improbable he'd put up the same kind of numbers he produced in Fenway.  There are also the likes of Tony Batista, Aaron Boone, Jeff Cirillo, Mike Lamb and Corey Koskie.

Brian Cashman, the Yanks GM, has already publicly indicated that his 2nd-baseman Robinson Cano will NOT move to third base and that would leave Wilson Betemit, a light-hitting infielder, as the only potential replacement for perhaps the greatest third-baseman in a generation, namely Arod.  As the free agents don't really fill the bill, the Yankees really MUST pursue a trade.  By far the best 3rd-baseman available is Miguel Cabrera of the Marlins.  He hit .320 last year with 34 homers and 119 ribbies and could be expected to continue that performance into the distant future.  He is the ONLY 3rd-baseman capable of putting up those numbers, the other alternatives paling in comparison, guys such as Adrian Beltre and Joe Crede, and, without actually getting into their numbers, believe me, they're not Miguel Cabrera.

At this point it's interesting to note that Joe Girardi, the Yankees new manager, used to manage the Florida Marlins, Cabrera's present fortunate employer.  Who better to assess the Marlins' weaknesses than him?  The answer, of course, is nobody, and as the key to the Yankees near future depends upon the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera, it makes me wonder whether or not Girardi's key differentiator in his contest with Don Mattingly for Yankees manager wasn't this key Marlins presence.  It also makes me wonder whether, when Girardi's main purpose is fulfilled, they may not just fire him and bring in the Boss's first pick, his beloved Don Mattingly.  But I digress.

Who would the Yankees give up for a player of that stature?  Well, Melky Cabrera, for one, would be a good start.  He'd have to be supplemented by some other players, probably pitchers, but I don’t think the Yanks are tied to any of their young pitchers, save Joba Chamberlain, perish the thought.  Why Melky?  He's been great in the clutch, has a good arm, and the Yanks will need another right-handed bat in the lineup.  That right-handed bat, besides Miguel Cabrera, could only come from center fielders such as Andruw Jones or Torii Hunter.

 

Imagine for a moment either of these bats in the lineup, both right-handed batters who can hit for power.  Andruw Jones hit 51 homers a couple of years ago and, although he’s been around seemingly forever, he’s only about 31 years old.  He also is probably THE premier centerfielder of our time.  The only contender as a fielder might be Torii Hunter.  Torii doesn’t have quite as much potential as Andruw, but he hit 28 homers in 2007 along with a batting average of .287 and drove in 107, this despite playing for a rather anemic Twins team.

 

Miguel Cabrera and Andruw Jones, taken together, would easily match the loss of Melky and whatever pitcher or two would need go to Florida.  The acquisition of Andruw would be a cash transaction only, of course.  And Andruw’s speedy runs to the ball combined with his natural break to anything hit his way would make Melky just a pleasant memory, even to the most devout Yankees fan.  Torii Hunter would also provide much better numbers than Melky does at present, is also considered a great outfielder, and would suffice to replace Melky in center, but his swing doesn’t compare to the might of someone like Andruw Jones. 

 

So, in effect, it becomes Melky and Arod for Jones and Miguel Cabrera.  I’d be happy.  More than happy.  Ecstatic.  Of course, the Yanks would be without a couple of starting pitchers, maybe Hughes and Kennedy, for example. Maybe the Yanks would get somebody like the hard-luck lefty Dontrelle Willis in return, picking up his inflated salary structure.  It’s quite likely Willis’s numbers would improve considerably pitching for a team such as the Bombers.

 

There are some quality pitchers available in free agency this year too.  Possibilities are many and varied, but include names such as Bartolo Colon, Tom Glavine, Jon Lieber and Randy Wolf.  If Pettite returns, the Yanks would still have a rotation of Wang, Pettite, Mussina and Chamberlain plus whoever could be had as a free agent.  Relief pitchers also abound in this year’s free agent crop, guys like Jeremy Affeldt, Joe Borowski, Francisco Cordero, Matt Herges, Scott Linebrink, David Riske and J.C. Romero.  I’m assuming the need will be middle relief as Mariano Rivera is almost sure to return, I’d think.  Why leave?  The new contract should be very nice indeed.

 

If the Yanks cannot get Miguel Cabrera, things get worse in a hurry.  The other third-basemen aren’t nearly the same caliber.  The same situation exists in the oufield with a big drop-off in numbers or stats tainted by poor fielding, attitude problems or worse.  Names such as Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds, ugh!  Milton Bradley, Cliff Floyd, Preston Wilson, even an Aaron Rowand don’t really make it as Yankees, or as right-handed power for that matter.