Fernando Cabrera

by JakeS on Aug 11, 2007 11:30 AM PDT

The Indians are in the thick of the playoff hunt so evidently don't feel that they can take any more growing pains from Fernando Cabrera so they've placed him on release waivers. He's only 25 with these career numbers:

1.47 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 0.3 HR/9
5.19 ERA, 10.5 K/9, 4.7 BB/9, 1.8 HR/9
5.61 ERA, 10.4 K/9, 5.9 BB/9, 1.8 HR/9 (in half a seasons worth of innings)

He's obviously got to cut down on the walks but he's the very definition of "upside" and we're in a position to both offer him a park that will minimize his home run problem and give him time to work through his troubles without effecting our chances to go anywhere. He can be had for a song, but like Wilson Betemit, I'm sure Brian has no idea he exists. I mean, is there any way this guy isn't a better closer prospect than Brian Wilson? They are similar ages with similar track records except that Cabrera has done his flashes-of-brilliance-but-no-control act in the majors and Wilson has done it all over the minors.

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Re: Fernando Cabrera

Also, more hope for his walk rate, he posted a 3.40 BB/9 over a 570 inning minor-league career.

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Aug 11, 2007 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

Isn't Tampa Bay going to acquire him?

Otherwise, I'd love to go after the guy.

Brian Anderson: converting saves and dominating as best he can.

by JT Jordan on Aug 11, 2007 11:29 AM PDT reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

He's a good fit for them and they can probably offer a bench player in the minor leagues better than half the players we call prospects, so that would be a bummer. Still, I'd like to hear that we even asked about the guy.

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Aug 11, 2007 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

Wait, except that the release has gone through so it's all financial. If we can't outbid the friggin' Devil Rays on a 25-year-old power arm then we're even worse at rebuilding than I thought.

Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar

by JakeS on Aug 11, 2007 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

Yeah, if he clears release waivers I'd love to try and sign him. He shouldn't be asking for TOO much money . . .

Brian Anderson: converting saves and dominating as best he can.

by JT Jordan on Aug 11, 2007 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

We really out to be in on him - this is exactly the kind of high-upside arm a young team should take a flyer on.

Jonathan Sanchez. He's left-handed, like Barry Zito. His fastball breaks 80, unlike Zito.

by Aadik on Aug 11, 2007 12:36 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

don't sell Brian Wilson short. His stuff is electric. There's a reason Cabrera was put on waivers and Wilson will never, ever, ever, ever, be.

Randy Messenger says,"doubleheader on Monday?? Give me the damn ball. I'll save the first game and pitch a shutout in game two!!"

by rxmeister on Aug 11, 2007 5:04 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Fernando Cabrera

If Wilson can find consistent control and be able to pitch the 9th, and if Cabrera can go back to pitching as he's capable of, we could have quite a formidable 8th and 9th inning combo.

But, I dream.

Brian Anderson: converting saves and dominating as best he can.

by JT Jordan on Aug 11, 2007 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions