The Giants’ Potentially Score Big with Cabrera Trade

The trade that sent Jonathan Sanchez and a minor league pitcher to the Royals for Melky Cabrera has the potential to solve some of the Giants’ hitting and production problems. Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean have characterized Cabrera as a run producer. While some pundits think that the Giants’ will use Cabrera in center field and have him lead off, I believe that Bochy will use him in either the 3rd or 5th spot in the batting order and have him play left field. His breakout season last year with the Royals is hopefully not an illusion. He dedicated himself in the 2010 offseason to getting in better shape and it paid big dividends for him. If you look at his stats, they are very impressive: .305 average, 18 HR, 102 R, 87 RBI’s and 20 SB. In fact, his stats are comparable to what Carlos Beltran put up last year between his stints with the Mets and the Giants’ – and at a cost of a fraction of what Beltran got paid. Cabrera is in a contract year and can be a free agent after the 2012 season. But he only made $1.25 million last year and even in arbitration he will probably only get about $3 million. So, in terms of payroll, the Giants’ will save a big chunk of change by having Cabrera instead of Beltran. So, I believe this means the end of the Giant’s pursuit of Beltran.
However, if Cabrera plays left field and bats third or fifth, that still leaves a need for a leadoff hitter and center fielder. I have been saying all along in this off season that Covelli “Coco” Crisp is that guy. He would provide the speed and on base ability that the Giants’ need at the top of the order. He stole 39 bases last year and also plays a decent center field. If they can sign Crisp, I think the Giants’ will be done tinkering with their everday lineup which I think will look like this:
Crisp CF
Sanchez 2B
Cabrera LF
Posey C
Sandoval 3B
Huff 1B
Schierholtz LF
Crawford SS
This is a lineup that features 3 switch hitters and cannot be pitched around because they are too strong from one side of the plate or the other.
Of course, the Jonathan Sanchez trade opens up the fifth spot in the rotation to Barry Zito. There was no way that the Giants’ were going to be able to unload his salary so this trade is a little bit risky in that aspect. It squarely puts the pressure on Zito’s shoulders to prove that he is still a viable major league starter. Stay tuned!