Asdrubal Cabrera Called Up To Cleveland

by Fundamentals on Aug 7, 2007 3:38 PM EDT

Asdrubal Cabrera has been called up by the Indians to take over the utility infielder spot on the major league roster. He'll take the roster spot of Mike Rouse. I don't imagine he'll get a lot of playing time, but I'd imagine he'd get more playing time than Rouse did. Also, the Indians have been pinch hitting for Josh Barfield late in games recently, so I'd imagine he'd be getting some relatively consistent defensive opportunities at the very least.

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strange

rouse no doubt sucks and doesn't deserve a roster spot, but don't see much playing time for cabrera...i think he'd be better served getting regular AB's in AAA

by Wheelhouse on Aug 7, 2007 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

especially

given how much he struggled when aggressively promoted last year.

I understand the need to take a look at him to see what they should do with Perralta/Barfield/Marte/Blake for their non-Garko infield positions, but can't that wait until September?

by Curtis Pride on Aug 7, 2007 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Playing time for AsCab

It is just a guess like everybody else's but I am not as sure about him riding the pine as all of you. He has some benefits because of the lack of rest since the ASB for the Tribe, he switchhits and he is likely a defensive upgrade for both Barfield and Peralta. The fact that Barfield is slumping may not hurt his cause either.

by sdtribefan on Aug 7, 2007 4:43 PM EDT reply actions

He likely will play more than sit!

Hello everyone,

I agree with sdtribefan - I doubt the Indians would seriously consider bringing Cabrera up to let him ride the pine for 5 days out of the week.

I think there are several reasons why you bring up Cabrera now:

His defense is at least as good as Rouse's, if not better.
His offense will probably be better than Rouse's (though I suspect he'll get more playing time than Rouse did, but even with the same amount of time, Cabrera's offensive potential is much greater than Rouse's.)
With Barfield's offensive struggles, this could open the door for Cabrera to get some regular playing time at 2B.
Cabrera could get some time at 3B, which would allow Blake to move back out to RF to take Nixon's bat out of the lineup more, plus limit Gutierrez's ABs vs. RHP, which has been a problem for him to this point.
Bringing him up in August would make him eligible for the postseason roster, and he does provide another speed option off the bench as well.

Therefore, I think there are many indications that Cabrera likely will be used a lot more than Mike Rouse was used; Cabrera still projects as a solid to good starter at the ML level, and the Indians have had a history of leaving their prospects in the Minors for extended periods to give them regular playing time. I doubt they would have brought up Cabrera unless they planned on playing him on a pretty regular basis, so I'd expect him to play at least 4-5 times a week (either starting or to come in for late inning defensive replacements on a regular basis.)

Just my 2 cents. :-)

Take care and have a great day!

The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.

by indiansfan on Aug 7, 2007 6:26 PM EDT reply actions

he's not starting tonight

by Wheelhouse on Aug 7, 2007 8:21 PM EDT reply actions

consistent

Asdrubal Cabrera has been one of the most consistent hitters in all the minors, this year. Both he and fellow teammate Jordan somebody. Very consistent.

by grandslam on Aug 7, 2007 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not sure...

that he'll be getting as much playing time as some are thinking. I think he'll be a consistent appearance at the end of close games after Barfield gets pinch hit for. He'll give Barfield a day or two off each week and give Peralta and probably Blake a day off once in a while. The Indians actually don't have that many games coming up. Starting Monday, they have three days off of the next eight. He'll get some playing time, more than Rouse, but he won't be playing 4 times a week and frankly I think 3 might be stretching it.

by Fundamentals on Aug 7, 2007 10:51 PM EDT reply actions