Melky Cabrera
 

Anybody think he might be available from the Yankees? The Yankees could be looking to upgrade their outfield. Cabrera is a righthand bat and can play center plus he is still young enough for room to improve.

Opinions?

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

If he could be had for chaff like Majewski or Belisle he'd be better than Hopper, but I'm not sure the Reds would have a roster spot for either. The Reds should platoon Dickerson and probably Freel in CF. If the Reds could unload Freel's salary for him it would be a good deal but, Cabrera would be a worse choice in CF on a daily basis than Dickerson immediately and Stubbs, Henry and Heisey would all be better bets down the road. I wouldn't give up anything that I had a use for, but if the Reds could deal Freel for him, a Cabrera/Dickerson CF platoon would be a better value than having Freel in that role for $4 Million. If the money was equal, I'd rather have Freel quite frankly.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

If you could get the Yankees to take Freel in a deal for Cabrera, then it would be a good deal, IMO. Cabrera's numbers would improve at GAB with the smaller dimensions compare to old Yankee Stadium. The Reds have the option of playing Cabrera in LF or CF. He wouldn't be the leadoff hitter the Reds would be looking for but he could very well hit 15-20 HRs. His cheap salary would make it easier to take on someone like the Dodger's Juan Pierre....as long as the Dodgers pick up most of the tab.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

You think a lot more highly of Cabrera than I do. I think he's a 5th OF or a guy to have in reserve in AAA. I'd take him over Hopper and I would live with him as a RH half of a platoon in CF if it meant getting out from under Freel's dollars, but I'd be looking to upgrade enough to push him back down to AAA the minute I acquired the guy. No way I let him play LF. I'd just as soon platoon Dorn and Henry out there or move Votto to LF and let Keppinger play 1B. If Cabrera was on the Reds roster now, without having to give up anything for him, that would still be my plan for LF and he'd be behind Freel as the RH half of a CF platoon.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Here is another sleeper I'll throw out there:

Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...?playerId=6350

Basically he was a caddy for Willy Taveras but if you look at his on base percentage, it is outstanding.

Now I just have to figure if a Arroyo for Atkins/Spilborghs deal would fly?

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

I wouldn't want Juan Pierre if the Dodgers paid his entire contract and threw in a basket of hotwings.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Frankly, I'd rather the Reds pay for Pierre to play on any other team besides the Reds. Preferably a NL-Central team. I'l toss in a basket of hotwings.

Anything to keep him out of The Dusty's inked in lead-off s pot. Pierre is exactly the craptastic player Dusty would run out there for 200 leadoff AB's and sink another year. Horrable OBP and ineffective base running....I'm getting ill just typing it.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Spilborghs is #1 on my list of wanted CFers, although I don't like your deal because I don't like Atkins.

Maybe Roenicke straight up.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

I like Spilborghs too but the Rockies plan on making him their starting centerfielder next season. Assuming they can trade Taveras.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Melky would be a good, cheap 4th or 5th OF.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Yeah, he'd be a good addition because we certainly don't have enough of those type of guys on the roster.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

My sarcasm detector is off the charts here.

Honestly, I think Cabrera has more upside than guys like Dickerson and Hopper. He needs a change of scenery -- the Yankees brought him up too soon, and thusfar he has failed to live up to their lofty expectations. Pay him like a 4th outfielder, and he'll outperform expectations.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Hopper, yes. Dickerson, I don't know. Personally, I think he's overrated since he played for they Yankees. But, hey, I'm all for bringing him aboard as long as we get rid of all the other utility guys.

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

In Melky's case a change of scenery might do him some good.. If we were in on Crisp then I don't think inquiring on Melky would be out of the question. But what would the Yankees want in return?

Re: Melky Cabrera
 

Melky is outstanding in the outfield. He has a cannon for an arm. Dude just can't get on base. I don't think the Yankees are really gonna trade him unless they get something of value in return.