We’ve been discussing the options at thirdbase for a while now. I made my stance Thursday for no Mike Lowell. Who do I want? The answer is in this article: Miguel Cabrera. We’ve discussed Cabrera all weekend; let’s discuss him some more. On Thursday, look for me to present another potential option at third… this one from in-house…
Looking for the answer to our cleanup hitter for the next decade? Look no further.
Miguel Cabrera, 24, is already has a .313/.388/.542 career line with totals of 138 HR in 2,694 at-bats. Let that sink in.
In our discussion about the construction of the Boston Red Sox for the 2008 season, a dilemma has opened up as to the person manning the hot corner for us next year.
As popular as Mike Lowell may be, he may not be the answer. Earlier, I advocated not to resign Mike Lowell unless the dollars and years made sense.
But what if the dollars and years end up making sense? Should we still do it? Or should we cast an eye towards not just the immediate future, but the future past Mike Lowell’s possible tenure with the Red Sox?
Theo Epstein knows this issue all too well. He casts an eye towards the future at all times while attempting to put the best product on the field currently. It’s why he let Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon go, along with other Red Sox luminaries such as Bill Mueller, Derek Lowe, Kevin Millar, Mark Bellhorn, etc.
Sayeth Theo:
“I think there’s a realization in baseball that if you try to keep things the same, it will change on you anyway. Players age and players change, chemistry changes, payroll structures change. Better to be proactive and try to find the right mix for now and in the future, rather than let it happen to you.”
What better way to be proactive and ensure future success than looking to the future? Manny Ramirez’s contract is up at the end of the 2008 season, with two $20-million club options immediately following. That creates a significant salary availability to the Red Sox, and they should be looking to tie up that money in yet another guaranteed Hall of Famer.
It’s been bandied about these parts that we Firebranders are not interested in A-Rod.
Miguel Cabrera would be a much better investment than A-Rod — expanding waistline or not. I’m confident that the leadership that Cabrera would operate under in Boston would be more effective than the leadership (or more accurately, lack thereof) in Florida.
Peter Gammons ran an article (ESPN Insider subscription only) talking about the possible acquisition of Cabrera and similarities to 32-year old A-Rod through age 24.
Through age 24, Cabrera holds the edge in batting average and OBP, and trails slightly in SLG (.308/.363/.551 for A-Rod, .313/.388/.542 for Miggy). A-Rod had 148 HR through age 24 in 3,126 AB, Cabrera (as noted before) 138 in 2,694 AB.
The Yankees have already been dumb enough to say they are not trading either Joba Chamberlain, Phillips Hughes or Ian Kennedy. At all. Period. Fortunately, the Red Sox aren’t dumb enough to make Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester and Michael Bowden all untouchable. Lester and Bowden are dealable for someone as good as Cabrera. Buchholz isn’t even that untouchable either, even though he’s pretty darn close to it. (For the record, the latest rumor for what the Marlins want from the Sox is Buchholz, Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury.)
Not to look at Miguel Cabrera as a potential replacement for Mike Lowell is ludicrous. You have someone who is capable of playing third-base and of being more value doing so in Kevin Youkilis. You have an expiring contract coming off the books in the next couple of years which can help alleviate any potential financial burden once Miguel Cabrera signs his gigantic contract a couple years from now.
Expanding waistline? Character issues? Bring him to Boston and surround him with David Ortiz and other committed players such as Jonathan Papelbon, Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Varitek, Dustin Pedroia and yes, even Curt Schilling and see what happens. Cabrera would certainly be a major facet of our lineup, but here he is one of several stars; not the only star playing in front of Little League World Series crowds (and that’s being generous … to the Marlins).
As esteemed Fire Brand commenter Sean O set forth during our Mike Lowell discussion:
There is good reason to think that the Marlins are looking for a particular type of player, one that Hanley fits to a T. He
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