Fernando Cabrera Released (Latest: signs with Orioles)

[kgbaseball]

The Indians released 25-year-old reliever Fernando Cabrera today, after (somehow) not being able to find a team to trade him to. He's 25, throws hard, with good breaking stuff; I'd like to ask Doug to give me one reason not to take a chance on him; he's instantly become one of the team's best relievers.

[Ennder]

I don't mind taking a chance on him but that part about him instantly becoming one of the best RP's is pretty off base. Statistically he'd be the worst RP on the team this year and would have been last year. He has been worse than Spurling with a 5.55 FIP. The man simply cannot throw strikes.

[Brian the Automator]

He might have the best stuff of any reliever on the staff instantly, but the results just aren't there.... WHIP of 1.78 indicates his high ERA isn't really all that fluky either. If the Brewers were out of it, I'd certainly take a chance on him, but I'd take McClung over Cabrera.

[brewers255]

I would easily take a shot at him. He had a 1.47 ERA in 2005, with a really good WHIP of 1.14. He is still young at 25 can he be any worse than a Spurling or a Wise? Plus a move to the NL would do him good. 145 K's in 130 innings is also really good. Take a chance at him and see what he can do. The bullpen has been beat up recently and he hasnt pitched since the 26th of July so hes rested. Can't do any bad than what the bullpen has done recently.

[Brian the Automator]

I would easily take a shot at him. He had a 1.47 ERA in 2005, with a really good WHIP of 1.14. He is still young at 25 can he be any worse than a Spurling or a Wise? Plus a move to the NL would do him good. 145 K's in 130 innings is also really good. Take a chance at him and see what he can do. The bullpen has been beat up recently and he hasnt pitched since the 26th of July so hes rested. Can't do any bad than what the bullpen has done recently.

Sure he could be good, but realistically, how many chances do you give him in a season where you need to win?... Balfour got 2 2/3 innings. How much of a leash is Cabrera going to get?

 

[brewers255]

Cabrera could be like the mop-up type reliever. Like Villy was in the early part. Balfour isnt 25 either, and cabrera never had shoulder injuries. I would at least give him 10 innings or so. Just my opinion.

[don1481]

Any way we could pen this guy to a minor-league deal?

[kgbaseball]

I bet he'd want a Major League deal. I'd like to see what Mad Dog could do with him.

[MoneyballMan]

I guess I'd take a shot on a minor league deal, see if he can turn it around and give him a shot in spring training. He hasn't been appreciably better than the relievers we have (and yes, I know how frustrating the bullpen has been recently!)

[mothershipconnection]

He'd be nice when rosters expand to 40, but it's not time yet. The pen has been stretched so thin that you can't hide anyone on the 25 man.

[Tbadder]

Yeah, you hit it on the head. If Maddux is able to work his magic, then he well could become a force next year. How about giving him a major league deal with the understanding that he'd go to the minors for the rest of the year and work things out?

[brewdude15]

has anyone signed Cabrera yet, or are there any other rumors?

[Brian the Automator]

He's still available. Check out rotoworld or rotowire and search for a player's name. They'll always link to the newest news on a given player, including major or minor league deals.

[MoneyballMan]

Surprising no one has at least jumped on him for a minor league deal. Maybe he and his agent are holding out for someone needing help on the major league level and don't want to jump too soon.

[burniebrewer]

According to RotoTimes, the D-Rays are interested. That's the only team they mentioned.

[Minigoon]

The D-Rays put a claim in on him, but Cabrera refused and became a free agent. The Orioles signed him to a minor league deal for the remainder of the season.

 

Former Indians pitcher Cabrera signed to deal

 

 

(added text to link --1992)

[PeaveyFury]

Since when can a player decline a waiver claim? I don't think I've heard of such a thing before.

[1992casey]

Peavey, my best guess it that the article worded something wrong. I don't think a player can directly deny a waiver claim, either. Under the right set of circumstances, a player can declare free agency, though. With more information, we could probably fill in the blanks.

[PeaveyFury]

Peavey, my best guess it that the article worded something wrong.

Yeah, that's how I figure it as well. I'm thinking he declined assignment to the minors by the Indians and then rejected a contract offer from the D-Rays, and the author mixed the two.