Blue Jays sign Melky Cabrera

[A_K]

Two years, $16 million. Great deal for the Jays. Talk about buying low.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/st ... type=story

Pretty filthy roster they've put together at this point. This is how I currently see their everyday lineup. Probably the best in the AL East.

SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
3B Brett Lawrie
CF Colby Rasmus
C John Buck
1B Adam Lind
2B Emilio Bonifacio

[ofahn]

Two years, $16 million. Great deal for the Jays. Talk about buying low.

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/st ... type=story

Pretty filthy roster they've put together at this point. This is how I currently see their everyday lineup. Probably the best in the AL East.

SS Jose Reyes
LF Melky Cabrera
RF Jose Bautista
DH Edwin Encarnacion
3B Brett Lawrie
CF Colby Rasmus
C John Buck
1B Adam Lind
2B Emilio Bonifacio

For me the Cabrera signing was the same as the Hunter signing. One year too long for a player with BIG question marks.

[A_K]

Wow. I don't agree at all. He's young and they got him on the cheap. I'd flip if we could have inked Melky to a two year deal for just $8 million per. I don't think he has a single question mark. He's just a young, productive player who comes at a discount for illogical reasons.

[birdwatcher55]

This is going to be some kind of a lineup. If the 2013 Jays turn out to be the 2012 version of the Marlins, that is going to be quite a fire sale on 7/31. But right now I would put them as the prohibitive favorite in the AL East until they prove otherwise

[osforlife]

Really wanted the O's to sign Melky. I was thinking one year deal but this would be fine too. He'd be our #3 hitter even if he returned to 2011 form, a switch-hitter, young, affordable.
Wieters > JP/Buck
Davis > Lind
Roberts, eventually Casilla < Bonifacio
Hardy < Lawrie
Machado < Reyes
unknown < Cabrera
Jones > Rasmus
Markakis < Bautista
Betemit/Reimold < Encarnacion

[ofahn]

Wow. I don't agree at all. He's young and they got him on the cheap. I'd flip if we could have inked Melky to a two year deal for just $8 million per. I don't think he has a single question mark. He's just a young, productive player who comes at a discount for illogical reasons.

For me Melky Cabrera is nothing but question marks. Was his 2012 performance a direct result of whatever enhancing drugs he was taking, and will he revert to his 2011 levels? Why has such a talented young player with so much potential been traded twice before he was 25? Is he bad in the clubhouse as it was reported in KC? Why didn't the Giants at least offer him arbitration?

With all of that uncertainty I would have restricted my offer to one year.

[OriolesRedskins28]

I wouldn't go crown the Blue Jays AL East champions just yet. They still have a ton of question marks.

Will Romero return to form or will he pitch like he did last year?
Will Lawrie find consistency?
Can they find someone to play first base (because Lind is TERRIBLE)?
How will Buehrle fair in the AL East?
Will Reyes stay healthy?
Will Rasmus finally live up to his potential?
Is Encarnacion for real or will he revert to his 1.5 WAR form from the previous 2 seasons?

And of course many more. The Blue Jays just got a lot better but to say they're the team to beat in the AL East and that the O's need to make a move to counter their big acquisitions is far too reactionary.

[ofahn]

I wouldn't go crown the Blue Jays AL East champions just yet. They still have a ton of question marks.

Will Romero return to form or will he pitch like he did last year?
Will Lawrie find consistency?
Can they find someone to play first base (because Lind is TERRIBLE)?
How will Buehrle fair in the AL East?
Will Reyes stay healthy?
Will Rasmus finally live up to his potential?
Is Encarnacion for real or will he revert to his 1.5 WAR form from the previous 2 seasons?

And of course many more. The Blue Jays just got a lot better but to say they're the team to beat in the AL East and that the O's need to make a move to counter their big acquisitions is far too reactionary.

I would have added: will Josh Johnson stay healthy?

[OriolesRedskins28]

I would have added: will Josh Johnson stay healthy?

Just realized Josh Johnson was also included in the deal. Crap!

I do agree his health (or lack there of) should be added to the list of questions surrounding the Blue Jays. If the stars align that team will be a juggernaut but more than likely they'll be improved from 2012 but far from an elite team.