Why Melky Cabrera trade to Royals is a good move?
Why Melky Cabrera trade to Royals is a good move?
On July 30, 2017, the Kansas City Royals brass announced they were getting Melky Cabrera back from the Chicago White Sox.
Cabrera was part of the Kansas Royals lineup back in 2011. Fresh off his one year stint with the Atlanta Braves, 2011 was Cabrera’s break out season with the Royals. Although on a one year $1.25 million contract, Cabrera achieved career highs with 87 RBIs, scoring 102 runs with 18 homeruns and 20 stolen bases and batting average at .305.
With a World Series win in 2015, General Manager Dayton Moore of the Kansas City Royals is pulling all the stops for another title.
Here is why Melky Cabrera trade to Royals is a good move:
On Sunday July 30, the Kansas City Royals faced off against the Boston Red Sox with a 54-48 record. The Royals were three games behind the Central Division leaders the Cleveland Indians. They were also in second place in the AL Central Division. For the Royals to make a legitimate effort for a third playoff appearance in four seasons, they needed to add depth into their lineup.
Pitching Depth – One week before the non waiver trade deadline, the Kansas City Royals replaced pitchers Travis Wood and Matt Strahm and minor league infielder Esteury Ruiz for starter Trevor Cahill, closer Brandon Maurer and reliever Ryan Butcher from the San Diego Padres. The Royals will also need to fork over $7.25 million to the Padres to cover the big league minimum and Wood’s pay.
By adding depth to their pitching, the Royals hope to take on some of the offensive teams like the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hitting Big – This is where the Kansas City Royals are hoping Melky Cabrera will make a difference. USA Today ranked the Royals offense at number 28 out of 30 in their 2017 MLB Offensive Rankings. With their post season heroes Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer going through a slump, it will all come down to Cabrera to take charge.
The Dominic Republic athlete certainly has the talent take on the big pitching teams like the Chicago Cubs, the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox.
Melky Cabrera’s Career at a Glance
Not related to the Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, Melky Cabrera was born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic on August 11, 1984. The left fielder, who has switched positions for the Yankees and the Royals as a center fielder in the past, was a World Series Champion with the New York Yankees in 2009.
Cabrera averages .286 in batting with 1,714 hits, 127 homeruns, 739 RBI’s and 97 stolen bases. In the major league since 2005, Cabrera has played for the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals.
His scouting notes called him a consistent switch hitter who could hit from both sides of the plate. Cabrera can also regularly line the ball into the gaps. He is a decent defensive outfielder who has an accurate and strong arm. Some of his weaknesses included lack of consistency when dealing with pitchers over the years. Cabrera also makes constant adjustments to pitchers and is prone to injury.
How can Melky Cabrera help the Kansas City Royals win their third World Series title?
The 5’10’ left fielder from the Dominican Republic is a veteran with 12 years in the Major Leagues. Cabrera has been a journeyman playing for seven teams throughout his career. Even though Cabrera received the All Star nod in 2012 with the San Francisco Giants, it was his 2011 season with the Kansas City Royals that put him on the map. General Manager Dayton Moore along with franchise owner David Glass will be hoping Cabrera repeats his 2011 form.
The first order of business for Cabrera will be to beef up the offensive lineup and with his hitting prowess, he can certainly achieve that. Since 2011, Cabrera has averaged .346 RBIs with the San Francisco Giants in 2012, .290 with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2013 and 2014 and .288 for the Chicago White Sox in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The Royals may also want Cabrera to take his previous left field position after he was stationed in the center field with the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. His strong and accurate arm will come in handy in high scoring games.
There is no doubt Melky Cabrera will bring the fire power the Royals need to make it to the playoffs. According to the Kansas City Star, Melky Cabrera is happy to be back with his old team mates. He conveyed his pleasure through a translator by saying he knows everybody here.
Ned Yost’s plans for Cabrera
Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost said Cabrera is an outstanding run producer. Yost was hoping Cabrera could take the second spot in the batting lineup, however for now he is batting third in between Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer. Cabrera also started in the right field against the Orioles. His position in the field remains to be seen.
Other than Cabrera’s position in the batting lineup and on the field, Cabrera’s teammates are delighted to have the veteran back in the ranks. With the 2017 MLB season turning the last corner; it seems the Royals are looking for experience and power to make one last attempt for the playoffs.
Speaking through Pedro Grifol, his translator, Cabrera said I’m really happy that I’ve seen them having success. They’re really good players, he said of his Royals teammates. But I’m most happy I’m back here. He further added.
The Kansas City Royals will be facing off against the Baltimore Orioles, the Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals and then Cabrera’s old team the Chicago White Sox in August.
