Melky on the move (again)?
December 28, 2009, 1:45 pm by iYankees · 2 Comments
According to Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves could choose to move the recently acquired Melky Cabrera before he ever gets to play a game for Atlanta. “The Braves could use Cabrera or another outfielder in a trade for Uggla or another slugger,” notes O’Brien, as he attempts to explain Atlanta’s thought process following the recent trade of starter Javier Vazquez. Essentially, former Yankee prospect Arodys Vizcaino was the central piece to the Vazquez deal for the Braves and the Yankees’ ability to take on Vazquez’s salary was also key. With salary relief provided to Atlanta — about $9 million, according to O’Brien — the team may very well use the savings to add a free agent such as Xavier Nady (making Melky expendable) while adding another contract via trade (like Uggla’s).
Tough break for the Melk-Man. Just a few months ago, he was the starting center fielder for the World Series champions, playing in the largest media market in baseball. By the end of the winter, he may just be a fourth outfielder for Atlanta, or he could end up playing with Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson in front of empty stadiums in Florida.
UPDATE – If the Braves plan on moving Melky, Jon Heyman notes that the Cubs would “love” to acquire him.
Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
