Say it ain’t so, Melky

Published by on August 15, 2012 | 15 Responses

Link – “Melky banned 50 games for testosterone use”

“My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used,” Cabrera said in a statement issued by the MLB Players Association. “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.”

Well then, shit. Let me tackle this in a reasoned, adult-like way: this sucks.

As you know, or anyone that’s followed me on Twitter, I’m the guy with the goofy Melky Cabrera avatar. Melky’s year has been (was?) one of the better things about the Giants team this year. His production, on the field, was nuts. I don’t want to open the PED debate here, but I’ll say this this news is pretty disappointing from my perspective. Cabrera’s season was fantastic and unexpected. Those who are cynical will say that it’s entirely the byproduct of the testosterone that he was taking; those who are less cynical probably aren’t really sure; and those, like me, that enjoy baseball will say that’s it’s disappointing.

That’s probably the best word that I can come up with right now, “disappointing.” Not because Melky owes me — or anyone else — anything, but rather it’s just plain ol’ disappointing.

The Giants are obviously weaker in the OF and in their lineup. Replacing Melky’s bat is impossible at this stage. This means we will probably see a lot more of Gregor Blanco (95 wRC+). The Giants could chose to do something weird like shift Belt to LF, but I’d prefer that they just leave him at first base for now — he’s actually been hitting lately.

Bummer. Rough day for the Giants.

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FANsince1976
FANsince1976

@gogints Pablo injured his hammy playing first base, no?

EugeneChan
EugeneChan

Guess it makes sense now why the front office didn't jump at the opportunity to pound out contract terms midseason, or why they took in Pence's arbitration year.  Even the flyer on Nady makes a little sense now.  What do you think Melky's 2013- contract will look like.  Obviously he won't get 5yr/75m or whatever the Yankees probably would have paid him, but someone will offer 3yr/25m (maybe even the Giants.)

gogints
gogints

What do you think about playing Belt in LF, shifting Pablo to 1B, and letting Scutaro continue to play 3B? For me the positives are: it keeps Belt in the lineup, we don't have to play Blanco, who has been really struggling, and Pablo gets to rest his hammy at 1B. 

Negatives: Belt and Scutaro's defense in LF and at 3B are not as good as Blanco's or Pablo's defense at those positions, and Brandon Crawford continues to be in the everyday lineup, where his bat may or may not negate his defense (this as opposed to shifting Scutaro or Theriot to SS or perhaps playing them both up the middle, though that would hurt the defense).

I agree with you, it's awfully disappointing. Looks like the pitching staff, especially Timmy and Zito, are going to have to be that much sharper.

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gogints
gogints

@FANsince1976 Well yes, but I was just thinking that there being somewhat less motion involved at 1st base rather than 3rd base, it might provide him an opportunity to rest. It's possible he is more prone to injury at `1B. I don't know. This is just a suggestion. I suppose that what it boils down to is that I would rather have Scutaro bat than Blanco, since he's hit well recently.

campanari
campanari

@gogints Since Crawford currently--at least the last time I looked--had a 2.0 rWAR and a .9 fWAR, his bat isn't likely to negate his defense.  It hasn't yet, and he has been improving surely if unevenly since his weak start to the season.

As to Melky's not owing anyone anything, I would say that he owes plenty, starting with his teammates who are threatened to lose a great deal financially and in non-tangibles because of his judgment, and his fans whose rhapsodic melk deliveries he has soured, maybe in perpetuo.  "Disappointing" is factually accurate, but a pretty vast understatement.