Thursday, July 31, 2014

Goodbye Cabby

today the Indians sent shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and cash to the Washington Nationals for infielder Zach Walters. it's another move that i have no problem with, but again, it is somewhat sad. Cabby was having a rough year, that's no secret. and it came at the worst time for him considering he was to become a free agent at the end of the season. he was making so many errors and struggling at the plate, and there was no way we were going to retain him after the year ended, so it's good that we got something for him now. but the guy was still trying hard every day and was a dedicated player. for that, i have respect.

after Cabrera heard the news he was traded. photo courtesy of Brian Dulik on twitter

Asdrubal had this to say after hearing the news. "i had fun here, you know. this is the team that gave me the opportunity to play at this level. those guys, my teammates, i'm leaving good guys. it's hard, but this is what it's about. that's the game."

i have fond memories of Cabby. i only got his autograph once, and currently have 4 unsigned Cabby baseball cards =( but i have taken tons of photos of him throughout his time in Cleveland when i was at games. i remember so many times when i'd catch Cabby looking into the crowd in between innings before the game would resume, and we definitely had some eye contact on more than one occasion. i like when that kinda thing happens with a player, i'm all about making a little connection lol Cabby's not a bad guy, he's just having a rough stretch, including a bad year this year. i truly believe the potential for him is still there. i've seen it, we all have. i watched him turn a lot of impressive double plays over the years. i was proud of him when he was named to the All Star team in 2011 and 2012, and of course i'll never forget how important of a role he played in getting us to the playoffs in 2007. it wasn't all bad with Cabby, and i'm thankful for the memories.

so good luck to Cabby with the Nats. maybe the change in scenery will help him turn things around and end his year on a high note. i wish him, his wife Lismar, his son Asdrubal Jr, his second son Meyer (he was the cutest kid of all the players' kids btw), and his daughter Ashley nothing but the best. and maybe someday the Indians will be drafting his son and it will be a happy reunion.


Walters is headed to the Columbus Clippers for now. he mostly plays short but he can also play 2nd and 3rd with potential to play the outfield. he's also a switch-hitter, just like Cabby. the plan is for Mike Aviles and Jose Ramirez to fill Cabby's spot at short for the time being. some fans i'm sure will be pissed that Francisco Lindor is not coming up yet, but i don't see any reason to rush the kid. the Indians' plan for him all along was to let him play a little bit in Columbus, and then bring him up in September. that wasn't going to change even if Cabby was traded. but if you know Tribe fans as well as i do, you can guess that there's a group of them who aren't pleased. some people will find anything to complain about even if something good just happened.

we were not going to acquire a top of the rotation starting pitcher for Cabrera after the way he played this year. think about it. at the end of the day, the 2 deals made in the past 2 days were done in order to get something for 2 free agents now, instead of nothing for them at the end of the year. no, these deals are not going to help us surge to the playoffs this season, but that's why there's still the August 31 deadline. chillax people.

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