Melky Cabrera or Michael Bourn? San Francisco Giants should Get Melky

July 12, 2012

National League’s Melky Cabrera, right, of the San Francisco Giants, celebrates his two-run home run with Matt Holliday, of the St. Louis Cardinals, during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 10, 2012, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Over the All-Star Break, the Giants were linked in stories with two potential free-agent outfielders — Melky Cabrera and Michael Bourn, currently of the Braves.

Jon Heyman reported that the Giants were viewed as a “likely suitor” for Bourn in free agency next winter, sources said.

Got to love those “sources” say, especially five months before free-agent season begins.

Yes, Bourn is a fine player, an All-Star. He’s led the NL in stolen bases the past two seasons. He fits the bill of the type of outfielder the Giants are looking for.

However, Bourn must be considered a fallback option if the Giants can re-sign Cabrera. They won’t be signing Bourn AND Cabrera. So if they have to choose, Cabrera is the better option.

Why?

• Cabrera is younger. Melky will be entering his age-28 season in 2013. Bourn will be 30. And with speed being such a huge part of Bourn’s game, you’ll have to wonder what effect aging will have on his skills if the Giants sign him to a five-year contract, which he’ll likely be seeking.
• Cabrera is a better all-around player. Melky’s 2012 slash line goes .353/.391/.519, compared to Bourn’s .311/.366/.451. Small sample, you say? OK, let’s look at 2011, when Cabrera went .305/.339/.470 and Bourn went .294/.363/.403. For their career, Cabrera is .283/.336/.411 in 8 seasons; Bourn is .277/.340/.370. And Bourn’s numbers have been steady over the past 3-4 years. Cabrera has taken off the past two seasons.
• If you go out and sign Bourn, you’re basically saying that the No. 1 prospect in your organization is not going to develop into a big-league starter. That’s Gary Brown. Brown had an outstanding season in his first full pro season in 2011 at Class A. After a rough start at Double-A this season, Brown is starting to heat up. Wouldn’t it make better sense in a couple of years to have Brown in center and Melky in left, instead of having two leadoff/center fielders in your outfield?
• Bourn has never been All-Star Game MVP.
• Cabrera has started to create a cult following in the Giants’ fan base. He’s the kind of player the Giants can set up a marketing campaign behind.

So, while we have nothing against Michael Bourn, Melky Cabrera is the better player and the Giants need to make it a priority to keep him in San Francisco.

Cabrera told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that he likes it in San Francisco.

“Im a free agent next winter,” Cabrera told Shea, “but the fans and Giants organization have treated me very well, so I would welcome staying with the Giants.”

Shea added that Cabrera has told his representatives of let the Giants know about his wishes to stay with the team.

Written by mlblogsmoresplashhits Posted in Uncategorized Tagged with Melky Cabrera, Michael Bourn, San Francisco Giants