Marlins Trade Heath Bell for Yordy Cabrera

[Miamarlin21]

Dunno if Erick was being serious about JC Oviedo, but he had Tommy John in August or September, so he won't be brought back.

[emkayseven]

While the attention of the baseball world was focused on the playoffs, the Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Athletics pulled off a three-way transaction back on October 20th. This was a "we want to get rid of this guy" thing for all three teams, with Heath Bell going from Miami to Arizona, Cliff Pennington moving from Oakland to Arizona, and Chris Young transitoning from Arizona to Oakland.

The only prospect involved was shortstop Yordy Cabrera, going from Oakland to Miami. Here is the scoop.

Drafted in the second round in 2010 from high school in Lakeland, Florida, Cabrera was supposed to be an impressive young power hitter with a strong arm and a chance to stick at shortstop. A caution flag was his age: he was already 19 when drafted, turning 20 that September, unusually old for a high school player. After a five-game pro debut (3-for-16 with four walks) in rookie ball, Cabrera moved up to Low-A Burlington in the Midwest League for 2011, hitting a disappointing .231/.297/.368 with six homers, 31 walks, and 110 strikeouts in 359 at-bats.

Moved up to High-A Stockton for '12, Cabrera was even less effective, hitting .232/.293/.332 with three homers, 16 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 220 at-bats. Overall, in 166 professional games, Cabrera has hit .230/.297/.351 with nine homers, 51 walks, and 183 strikeouts in 595 at-bats.

That's not too good. Optimists point out that Cabrera has plenty of physical strength and is still young enough to develop. Pessimists point to poor plate discipline, inconsistent swing mechanics, and problems with breaking balls. On defense, his arm is quite strong, but is excessively error-prone at shortstop and will likely wind up at third base due to range limitations.

Cabrera is a right-handed hitter and thrower, born September 3rd, 1990, listed at 6-1, 205. Perhaps a new organization and a fresh start will unlock Cabrera's talent, but I'm not among the optimists at this point. His arm is his best tool. . .he hit 95 MPH in high school. . .and it would not surprise me if he ends up on the mound eventually. I'm skeptical that he'll hit enough to be a major league regular, especially at third base.

John Sickels

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/...ics-heath-bell

[tjfla]

It is still a nice get for Heath Bell.

He has a rocket arm and while his defense at SS is questionable,he will be moved to 3B so his range won't be that bad. If his bat comes around then we have another prospect and if not move him to the mound(We have done it in the past with lots of guys) and maybe he becomes another RP like Hatcher

[Todd]

They should probably just go ahead and move him to the mound now.

[Bobbob1313]

ehe

[tjfla]

They should probably just go ahead and move him to the mound now.

Ya with all the 3B depth in the organization,we shouldnt even see if it clicks for him

Batting .381 in the AFL BTW

[Erick]

It is still a nice get for Heath Bell.

He has a rocket arm and while his defense at SS is questionable,he will be moved to 3B so his range won't be that bad. If his bat comes around then we have another prospect and if not move him to the mound(We have done it in the past with lots of guys) and maybe he becomes another RP like Hatcher

You kinda just repeated everything the article said.

I was the first to mention Cabrera threw mid-90's. I have inside sources; I win this one!

[Todd]

Ya with all the 3B depth in the organization,we shouldnt even see if it clicks for him

Batting .381 in the AFL BTW

He is 22 years old and hasnt hit at any level of A ball(3 years). The chances of anything clicking are slim to none.

[Bobbob1313]

He also only has 660 plate appearances.

[Todd]

660 incredibly bad plate appearances.

[Bobbob1313]

Sure. But you're overreacting.

[Miamarlin21]

Todd, you do realize that his 595 at-bats is the equivalent just just over one entire minor league season, right?

[jticali]

Heres the deal,Cabrera doesnt have very good RANGE at ss,which is why the front office is moving him to third UNLESS the Dodgers want him.

If LAD wants HIM,a possible deal would be one to twelve prospects and Dee Gordon for Yordy. Beinfest doesnt know anything about the prospects in our system but Dan Jennings TOLD him Yordy has a strong arm.

IF Yordy learns to hit, we'll have ANOTHER hitting prospect. If not we may move him to the bullpen (we did that with Kris Harvey AND Hatcher)

[Miamarlin21]

Heres the deal,Cabrera doesnt have very good RANGE at ss,which is why the front office is moving him to third UNLESS the Dodgers want him.

If LAD wants HIM,a possible deal would be one to twelve prospects and Dee Gordon for Yordy. Beinfest doesnt know anything about the prospects in our system but Dan Jennings TOLD him Yordy has a strong arm.

IF Yordy learns to hit, we'll have ANOTHER hitting prospect. If not we may move him to the bullpen (we did that with Kris Harvey AND Hatcher)

What?

[jticali]

One to twelve prospects and Dee Gordon for Yordy