How About Miguel Cabrera?
While we wait for Jason Bay to make up his mind about playing in Flushing, we may as well consider other alternatives.
During a “hot stove huddle” a few days ago, a rabid and intelligent Mets fan named “Kevin K” proposed that Omar Minaya make a deal for Miguel Cabrera. The more I think about it, the more it makes a lot of sense.
While many eschew him for his weight issues, sloth-like movements in the field, and questionable effort, there’s one thing about Miguel Cabrera that cannot be dismissed: the man can flat-out HIT.
Cabrera is a younger (26) and more versatile version of Manny Ramirez, and fits the Mets needs in so many ways it’s silly. He can play first base, third base, and left field with equal mediocrity, and has the mash-factor necessary to assume the cleanup spot. His career batting average is well over .300, he’s played 157+ games for the past 6 seasons, his power cannot be contained by any ballpark, and he’s a lock to post a .900+ OPS. I can’t think of any reason why the Mets wouldn’t want him.
The question, of course, is whether he’s available.
Considering that the Tigers are in budget-clearing, rebuilding mode, you’d have to believe they’d at least listen to offers. Cabrera is about to enter year three of an eight-year deal, and his salary jumps from $15M last year to $20M in 2010. All told, he’s due $125M through 2015 — when he reaches the ripe old age of 32. That’s a considerable amount of dough for a struggling franchise to swallow, and if Detroit found it necessary to shed the $24M owed to All-Star Curtis Granderson over the next three years, you’d have to think they’d be looking to move Cabrera’s monstrous contract.
And who knows, they might even be willing to take on Luis Castillo’s comparably tiny commitment as part of the deal — with Placido Polanco fleeing to the Phillies, they are in need of a second baseman, after all. Perhaps the Mets would have to also take on Dontrelle Willis and his $12M, but wouldn’t it be worth it? Maybe Willis could make a comeback — it wouldn’t kill the Mets to have another lefthanded pitcher in the organization.
What would the Tigers require in return? Presumably, young, cheap players who are nowhere near free agency. That likely means Dan Murphy, Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, and Bobby Parnell at minimum. Or perhaps one of that group is replaced with Brad Holt or Jennry Mejia. Maybe the Mets could also wrangle away catcher Gerald Laird or former catcher Brandon Inge as part of the trade — would that sufficiently sweeten the deal for you, particularly if Luis Castillo can also be sent to Detroit (opening 2B for Orlando Hudson) ?
Such a trade would be creative, out-of-the-box, and unexpected. It would also give the Mets the slugger they need — someone who is entering their prime rather than exiting it. The cost would be substantial, but in my mind, well worth it.
What do you think?
Maybe that deal wouldn’t get it done, but I’d offer it to start with and work it out from there. I’d give up Davis but I do not know if they have a 1B/RF prospect that would block his way (Miggy is primarily a 1Bman or LFer, but since we don’t have a LF prospect I’d part with Davis, though I know he may end up in RF eventually). The biggest hurdle for me is how much pitching to give up. If some other player came along in the deal like a Willis or a catcher I would give up one of my better pitching prospects, but not Mejia.
In short I think it is agreeable that Miguel Cabrera is worth most any prospect you give up. I think he is young enough that he can slide into the Mets core and build a championship around along with Wright and Reyes.
What do you think?
Although they’ve recently has some issues, I will tell you that they’re both good guys at heart and would welcome the opportunity to play in New York. Seriously.
From a talent standpoint, Dontrelle is a fierce competitor, has a deceptive delivery and swings a big stick. He’s also a great guy in the dugout and clubhouse. Dontrelle’s the same age as Ollie, makes the same money and has had a better career. If he’s healthy again, in my opinion he has more upside than Perez. I’d be willing to take the risk if the deal was right.
As for Miguel, the only players that compare with his offensive numbers since the beginning of his career are Pujols, Ted Williams, Mel Ott and Ty Cobb. That’s pretty good company.
With the hot stove season burning, Omar should definitely check out Dombrowski’s agenda. There could be a great fit in there for the Mets.
But definitely worth a shot! Go Omar go!
Joe
Do it. Detroit’s economy has been destroyed. It won’t take giving up a ton of talent if the Mets can relieve the Tigers of $20 MIL in payroll.
Add another decent starting pitcher and the Mets can compete in 2010.
Good to see that you’re capable of judging a guy based on a media report that you read. It’s also good to know that you’re judging one of baseball’s elite players based on one night in his career.
For the record, did you know that the wife went ballistic and hit him first, ripped the chain off of his neck and threw his cell phone against a wall? Did you know that he was not charged by the police? Did you know that later the wife publicly stated that she was wrong and she was the aggressor?
Here’s some more facts; last season Cabrera hit .323 with 33 HRs and 101 RBIs. His career line is as follows: .311/.383/.542 with an OPS of .925.
You’re entitled to your opinion. But if it was up to you, the Mets would have never won the WS in 1986 as you would’n have wanted more than HALF of those players on your team either.
obtaining Cabrera and was flat out derided about
it, an I believe that it won’t take much due to
the huge contract at 20m per year.
It’s obvious that you are in denial regarding the FACTS reported. That said; you bring nothing to the table but your opinion and generalizations. Plus, you show how ignorant you really are by asking and then answering foolish questions such as: “do you have any inkling how drunk .26 is?” Guess I missed that COPS episode. Moreover, it must be a FACT that “abused women lie all the time.” Nice generalization.
And how exactly do you construe my post as “berating a lady half his size” and then making the remark “don’t you feel good?” Again, I reported FACTS from the case.
Furthermore, guessing that I’ll be “in denial” with regard to the possibility if the Mets were to sign Myers, is again, well… guessing. Myers has NOTHING to do with this story. What’s next? Guessing how I feel about Elin and Tiger???
You made one factual statement and that was repeated from my previous post; no charges were filed because the police couln’t determine who the aggressor was. You may want to read that again without adding generalizations, speculation and conjecture.
For what it’s worth, every other post on this subject is in favor of the possibility of acquiring Cabrera. As stated in my first post, I personally know Miguel, along with his wife; Rosangel, and wish only the best for both. However, if you’re going to be arrogant and ignorant towards my opinion and the facts involving the case, then I suggest that you either deal with it or straighten out your skirt.
thanks for getting this out there!
This trade makes to much sense. Don’t you know the Mets make deals that don’t make sense. I think a more realistic deal would be trading F-Mart and Ike for Brandon Inge and Gerald Laird. We don’t have enough catchers in the organization. Also we would sign Bengie Molina.