Turn Back The Clock: December 22nd, 2009-The Melk Man Is Sent Packing

In a deal the New York Yankees thought would improve upon their World Series-winning pitching staff, the Bronx Bombers made some sweeping changes to the look of their team for the 2010 season. It was five years ago today, that the Yankees sent homegrown outfielder, the Melk Man, Melky Cabrera to the Atlanta Braves for a second unsuccessful go around with pitcher Javier Vazquez. Cabrera, who had been the Yankees’ left fielder during their 2009 World Series run, had his most productive season in pinstripes prior to being dealt, hitting .274, with 13 home runs and 68 runs driven in. There was more than meets the eye with Cabrera and the Yankees however. 

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Cabrera had never quite lived up to his former “hot young prospect” status, as his numbers were very average at the big league level. That wasn’t the reason he was dealt. Cabrera and star second baseman, Robinson Cano, were as tight as crossed fingers. The two were playful like little boys, and could oftentimes be seen goofing off. The problem with Cabrera, was his lackadaisical approach to the game. He was often questioned for his lack of hustle, and his head in the clouds approach to playing. Some in and around the organization, felt he was a bad influence on the further development of Cano. The Yankees second baseman would sometimes fail to run out ground balls, or would show very little effort to get to balls in the field that most big league second basemen would get to. This infuriated Yankees’ management, and the onus of that fury was pointed directly at the relationship between Cabrera and Cano.

So when the chance to get something back for Cabrera presented itself after his best season in pinstripes, Cabrera was sent packing to Atlanta, where he struggled in his one season in the south. He hit .255 with only 4 home runs and 42 RBI. Cabrera moved on to Kansas City for one season and then on to San Francisco, where he was suspended for his use of PEDs. After being suspended, he was involved in a faux website, in a weak attempt to clear his name. The website ended up being developed by a close friend, which further damaged Cabrera’s image and respectability. Cabrera’s numbers were above average while in New York, and a reunion with Vasquez didn’t bring the rotation much help.

After a 14-10 campaign in 2004 in pinstripes, Javier Vazquez‘s first tour of duty came crashing down when Johnny Damon‘s grand slam sealed the Yankees’ fate against the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS. His second stint wasn’t much better, as he finished 10-10 with an ERA of 5.32. The Yankees did get Boone Logan, who served as a useful lefty reliever for several seasons. New York granted Vazquez free agency at season’s end, and he finished his career back in the National League with the Marlins. It was this day, back in 2009, that the Yankees rid themselves of a distraction, by trading Melky Cabrera to the Braves.

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