Oh Leche

I first started following Melky Cabrera's career when he was playing 'A' ball in the New York Yankees farm system. The kid looked like he had talent based on the numbers he produced. The Dominican born Melky put up 8 home runs and 67 RBI in 2004 for Battle Creek and Tampa.

He worked his way up the chain and got a cup of (spilled) coffee in the Majors in 2005. He was clearly over matched at the plate and field, but was back in the Majors as a regular a year later. His best year came in 2009 when he contributed to the Yankees' 27th title with career highs in home runs (13) and RBI (68). But there was always talk of Cabrera being a bit portly and out of shape. It had actually contributed to his demotion to Triple-A during the 2008 season.

Cabrera has had his ups and downs since then - released by the Atlanta Braves during the 2010 season, a career resurrection with the KC Royals in 2011 and an MVP type season this year with the San Francisco.  But Wednesday, the fit hit the shan.

A 50 game suspension handed down by Major League Baseball after it was revealed that Cabrera had tested positive for testosterone. Cabrera at least came clean, no pun intended, about the failed test.

"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used," Cabrera said in a statement released by the union. "I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down." (quote courtesy of espn.com)

Cabrera had won this year' All-Star game MVP Award in his first appearance. His big night out included a solo home run. The Melk Man, who grew a cult following in NY, was hitting a career high .346 at the time of the suspension, which will wipe out the rest of the regular season. Cabrera would also miss the beginning of any post-season series.

It's especially disappointing when you think a guy turned his career around by doing the work, getting in shape, and really working at his craft. But now Melky's career will always be tainted and his chances for a big time contract after this season just went down the tubes. Of course, the only reason he may have had that opportunity was due to performance enhancing drugs. Another likable player's reputation bites the dust.

For more on the story, I recommend reading Tyler Kepner's excellent piece in the NY Times.

OH...NO...MO

Prior to tonight's Yankees game with the Kansas City Royals, Mariano Rivera had to be carted off the field after his knee buckled while shagging fly balls in the outfield. Rivera leapt for a ball and went down as his knee gave way. Initial reports are a twisted knee, but Rivera has gone to a local hospital for an MRI. David Robertson will become the primary closer with Rafael Soriano the alternate. I thought the painting of Eduard Munch's "The Scream" was appropriate, especially since it was sold for $120MM earlier today.

BD Hot Stove Breaking News: Greinke Going From Royal Blue to Milwaukee Brew | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove Breaking News: Greinke Going From Royal Blue to Milwaukee Brew | Baseball Digest

It appears another dream is over for Yankees fans. Not even 24 hours old, my thoughts/demands/ideas of the Yankees acquiring Zack Greinke have been torn asunder.

Last night Jim Breen a fan blogger (Bernie’s Crew) on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal reported that Greinke had been dealt to the Brewers for a handful of prospects. Breen called it a rumor despite the headline that Greinke was acquired. Needless to say everyone in Twitterland was skeptical to say the least.

But it appears this morning that Breen was on the money. ESPN’s Buster Olney was the first to back up the deal and more mainstream credability has beenreported since including the J-S’ Brewers beat guy Tom Haudricourt.

The deal was orginally reported as Milwaukee sending Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, and Jeremy Jeffress to KC for Greinke and a PTBNL later, thought to be Yuniesky Betancourt. A horrible job done by KC GM Dayton Moore if true. This morning, however, we’re hearing that Jake Odorizzi has been added as well, which makes it a better deal for KC.

Escobar, Cain and Jeffries were in Baseball America’s top 10 Brewers prospects entering the 2010 season. Odorizzi likely would have been on the list for 2011. Shortstop Escobar had a miserable rookie season, posting a .614 OPS and made 20 errors.

Cain (Peter Gammons quoted Jim Fregosi as saying “…when you trade Greinke the one player you’d better get is Cain”. From Baseball Intellect on Cain:

“He still strikes out too much and it would be nice to see a few more walks, but the progress was excellent to see. Also encouraging was the improvement each month of the season and how he actually performed better after he was promoted to Double-A Huntsville.

Cain has very quick wrists, which help him generate excellent bat speed, though his loading process is a bit long. There is a chance he can continue to add power as his frame fills out. Notice how he lets the ball travel deep into his hitting zone before unloading on the ball. This is a great indication of Cain’s bat speed.

Cain was an excellent defensive right fielder and while he has to cover more ground in center field, he still has above average range.

Best Case Outcome – Above average everyday center fielder

More Likely Outcome – Average everyday center fielder”

My take – That’s not exactly a rave on Cain. He mainly brings 25 steal potential and a decent average to the table, but not much else.

MLB.com on Jeffress in 2009

“Statistically speaking: His 5.27 ERA over four Double-A starts is misleading as he gave up six runs in two-thirds of an inning in his last outing. Before that, he had allowed only three runs over 14 innings for a 1.93 ERA. His 11.01 K/9 ratio would’ve put him atop the full-season leaderboard had he pitched enough innings to qualify.

Scouting report: Has a fastball that can reach triple digits, breaking ball, a curve that can be a plus pitch, and he’s working on developing a changeup. Makeup in the past has been a question mark, with a suspension for marijuana use.

Upside potential: Think Dwight Gooden, stuff-wise. Worst-case scenario, he’s a dangerous back-end reliever.

They said it: “He is a rare talent that is starting to get his act together. Once he locks in, look out.” — Reid Nichols, Brewers Special Assistant to the GM/Director of Player Development”

My Take -So far the words on paper haven’t matched the numbers on the field. Yes, Jeffress is striking out batters at an alarming rate, but he’s walking them at even a more startling rate. He may pan out to nothing more than a set up man.

Word has just (10:25 am) come down from SI’s Jon Heyman that Greinke has indeed approved the deal after turning down a deal to go to the Nationals.

The Brewers now put Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, and Shaun Marcum up against any rotation, Cards included, in the mediocre NL Central division. And Yankees fans still look at Sergio Mitre at the back end of the rotation

Drew Sarver is the Yankees content editor and a contributor for BaseballDigest.com. You can also read his work at his blog, My Pinstripes. He can be contacted at mypinstripes@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @BD_Sarver and @MyPinstripes.

A Royal Pain

The Yankees have a quick three game homestand this weekend, against the equally slumping Kansas City Royals. The Royals won their last four games in July, but have dropped 8 of 12 to start August. They sit 54-67, 14.5 games back of Chicago in the AL Central cellar. It's become a far too familiar place for a team that at one time was one of the best franchises in major league baseball. But that was a long time ago.

The team that once produced George Brett, Hal McRae, Bret Saberhagen, and Willie Wilson, now mixes a squad of young promising players with useful veterans like Mark Grudzielanek. Fans are accustomed to seeing their best players, like Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye, be traded or leave as free agents. The small market tag has become a drain on KC baseball.

While the game and salary structure has changed over the years, Kansas City ownership has not wanted to budge to increase their payroll. Though they get a kickback when teams like the Yankees contribute heavily to the luxury tax, the Royals have been reticent to put the money back into the team.

The team has only finished above .500 three times in the last 18 seasons and has finished above third place only once in that time. The Royals haven't reached the post-season since they won it all back in 1985.

There have been recent attempts to raid the free agent pool, such as the signing of pitcher Gil Meche to a 5-year, $55 million contract, and payroll increased from $47 million to $67 million from 2006 to 2007. But generally, the Royals have been non-competitive due to their lack of resources and their lack of desire to spend.

Fans come out to see teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, but attendance is always second to last, with only Tampa Rays fans filling less seats. The fans that are there have to wonder how much longer they will be able to watch up and coming stars like Joakim Soria, Billy Butler, and Alex Gordon, before they come back as visiting players.

Ownership is spending $250 million to renovate the 35-yr old Kauffman Stadium for next season. Whether the team can put top players on the field and fans in the stands remains to be seen.

A Royal Pain

The Yankees have a quick three game homestand this weekend, against the equally slumping Kansas City Royals. The Royals won their last four games in July, but have dropped 8 of 12 to start August. They sit 54-67, 14.5 games back of Chicago in the AL Central cellar. It's become a far too familiar place for a team that at one time was one of the best franchises in major league baseball. But that was a long time ago.

The team that once produced George Brett, Hal McRae, Bret Saberhagen, and Willie Wilson, now mixes a squad of young promising players with useful veterans like Mark Grudzielanek. Fans are accustomed to seeing their best players, like Johnny Damon and Jermaine Dye, be traded or leave as free agents. The small market tag has become a drain on KC baseball.

While the game and salary structure has changed over the years, Kansas City ownership has not wanted to budge to increase their payroll. Though they get a kickback when teams like the Yankees contribute heavily to the luxury tax, the Royals have been reticent to put the money back into the team.

The team has only finished above .500 three times in the last 18 seasons and has finished above third place only once in that time. The Royals haven't reached the post-season since they won it all back in 1985.

There have been recent attempts to raid the free agent pool, such as the signing of pitcher Gil Meche to a 5-year, $55 million contract, and payroll increased from $47 million to $67 million from 2006 to 2007. But generally, the Royals have been non-competitive due to their lack of resources and their lack of desire to spend.

Fans come out to see teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, but attendance is always second to last, with only Tampa Rays fans filling less seats. The fans that are there have to wonder how much longer they will be able to watch up and coming stars like Joakim Soria, Billy Butler, and Alex Gordon, before they come back as visiting players.

Ownership is spending $250 million to renovate the 35-yr old Kauffman Stadium for next season. Whether the team can put top players on the field and fans in the stands remains to be seen.

Royals About to Name Their Man

Scratch Trey Hillman off the list of prospective replacements for Joe Torre. ThE AP is reporting that the KC Royals will announce Hillman's hiring as their manager, possibly as early as today.

Update 1:50 - 1050 ESPN is now reporting that the Royals will hold a press conference on Monday to announce Hillman's signing.

Source

Royals About to Name Their Man

Scratch Trey Hillman off the list of prospective replacements for Joe Torre. ThE AP is reporting that the KC Royals will announce Hillman's hiring as their manager, possibly as early as today.

Update 1:50 - 1050 ESPN is now reporting that the Royals will hold a press conference on Monday to announce Hillman's signing.

Source