Wednesday, June 20, 2012

M.C.C.

That's a Melky Cabrera century, folks. In cricket, when a batsman scores 100 runs in an innings, they call it a "century." I've appropriated the term for our very own Milk Man, who banged out three more last night to reach and pass the 100 mark. He now has 101 hits in 66 games played (69 for the team). With 93 games remaining, he has an excellent chance of cracking 200, a "double century." Melky has 294 PA so far--last year he had 706 in 155 games. Assuming he stays healthy and plays in, say, 90 more games, and averages 4.5 PA/G, that's 405 more plate appearances. He "only" hit .305 last season and got 201 hits. He's hitting .369 right now! Let's say he gets 350 more AB and hits .300 the rest of the way, that's still 105 hits. The SF record for hits in a season is 208 by Willie Mays in 1958, the team's first season on the west coast. Rich Aurilia had 206 in 2001 had Bobby Bonds 200 in 1970. El Hombre Leche has a shot at a club record--that's damn impressive.

I liked the trade when it happened. I understood the risk of letting a guy like Jonathan Sanchez go--lefties who miss bats like he does are rare animals. But the Brian Trust thought he'd peaked out, were worried about his injuries, and felt that the emergence of both Madison Bumgarner and Ryan Vogelsong made him expendable. They were right. JS has been hurt and only managed 36-1/3 IP this season. He's also averaging more walks per nine (6.9) than strikeouts (6.2). His 2010 season was truly great, and he will forever have a place in my heart for being part of that magical run. But Sabes and Co. made a smart move to bolster the outfield and pulled off one of their best trades ever. I did not expect Cabrera to lead the league in anything, but I figured at age 27 and coming off an excellent season he was the right guy at the right time and would be a good ballplayer. Yeah, I think he's all that. He's a free agent after this year--if he keeps on doing what he's doing the Giants will find it hard not to throw a big wad o'dough his way.

--M.C.


p.s. Seems like good news re Jerome Williams.


2 comments:

Brother Bob said...

Maybe since Zito is back to being Zito, Lincecum can go back to being Lincecum.

M.C. O'Connor said...

Zito has always been Zito. He's as consistent as they come. Throws a few good games, then a bunch of lousy ones, then a few good games, then a bunch of lousy ones, etc. No different from 2011, 2010, 2009, . . .

Tim, on the other hand, has gone from the best in the league to very good to Barry Zito. Yikes. Not a good trend. I, for one, think it is reversible. He's still young and still has "the stuff." He may never be a 7 WAR player again, but that doesn't mean he can't be a stud.