O's Sign Everth Cabrera

[Can_of_corn]

There is no doubt that he is good around the bag, and I read the fangraphs piece last August about his DP proficiency. But the Orioles turned more DPs in 2013 (428) than in 2014 (368). Part of that is almost certainly related to better pitching and fewer baserunners in the first place, but I'm not sure the incremental gain in terms of DP proficiency or overall defense outweighs the offensive deficiencies.

Cabrera had an 572 OPS (67 OPS+) last season.

I don't think it is anything close to a lock he outperforms Schoop offensively.

[Frobby]

Cabrera had an 572 OPS (67 OPS+) last season.

I don't think it is anything close to a lock he outperforms Schoop offensively.

Agreed. Cabrera has had two sub-.600 years in his career, and two .700+ years. It's complete guess how he'll do in 2015.

[Redskins Rick]

There is no doubt that he is good around the bag, and I read the fangraphs piece last August about his DP proficiency. But the Orioles turned more DPs in 2013 (428) than in 2014 (368). Part of that is almost certainly related to better pitching and fewer baserunners in the first place, but I'm not sure the incremental gain in terms of DP proficiency or overall defense outweighs the offensive deficiencies.

Buck has said, better defense makes for better pitching.

[Redskins Rick]

Agreed. Cabrera has had two sub-.600 years in his career, and two .700+ years. It's complete guess how he'll do in 2015.

Correct, it's a guess which guy shows up, not sure how some people can make the leap and anoint him the new starting 2nd.

[fearthenoodle]

Cabrera had an 572 OPS (67 OPS+) last season.

I don't think it is anything close to a lock he outperforms Schoop offensively.

I know- he had the worst offensive year of his career, and it was pretty much the equivalent of Schoop's year at the plate (both a 65 wRC+).

Schoop, for as much as we all want him to show significant improvements, hasn't really had a good offensive performance at any level since the numbers he put up at Delmarva in 2011. He showed flashes but nothing consistent at Frederick, Bowie, Norfolk and Baltimore since then.

[Can_of_corn]

I know- he had the worst offensive year of his career, and it was pretty much the equivalent of Schoop's year at the plate (both a 65 wRC+).

Schoop, for as much as we all want him to show significant improvements, hasn't really had a good offensive performance at any level since the numbers he put up at Delmarva in 2011. He showed flashes but nothing consistent at Frederick, Bowie, Norfolk and Baltimore since then.

Pretty sure he had the highest OPS of any player in AAA with a broken back in 2012.

[Yardball85]

I know- he had the worst offensive year of his career, and it was pretty much the equivalent of Schoop's year at the plate (both a 65 wRC+).

Schoop, for as much as we all want him to show significant improvements, hasn't really had a good offensive performance at any level since the numbers he put up at Delmarva in 2011. He showed flashes but nothing consistent at Frederick, Bowie, Norfolk and Baltimore since then.

It is an interesting comp, Schoop and Cabrera, because when they are at their best, their OPSes are driven by different factors. For instance, I wouldn't expect a +.400 SLG from Cabrera in his best year, but if he can get on base at a .360 clip, then he is doing his job. As for Schoop, an OBP above .310 would be great, but at his best, his SLG should hopefully be in the upper .400s. So overall their numbers may quite similar in any given year, and it depends which dynamic (speed and OBP vs. power) that you prefer in your lineup.

[weams]

Pretty sure he had the highest OPS of any player in AAA with a broken back in 2012.

It's hard to hit with the back fractures.

[Number5]

Pretty sure he had the highest OPS of any player in AAA with a broken back in 2012.

It does explain the low number of bases on balls... it is hard to walk with a broken back.

[weams]

It does explain the low number of bases on balls... it is hard to walk with a broken back.

Tough to check your swing, for sure.

[BohKnowsBmore]

I know- he had the worst offensive year of his career, and it was pretty much the equivalent of Schoop's year at the plate (both a 65 wRC+).

Schoop, for as much as we all want him to show significant improvements, hasn't really had a good offensive performance at any level since the numbers he put up at Delmarva in 2011. He showed flashes but nothing consistent at Frederick, Bowie, Norfolk and Baltimore since then.

Schoop has also consistently been in levels well above his age.

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[El Gordo]

My question is was it worth it to the O's to spend 2.4 M just to challenge Schoop to be more patient? Does Cabrera have options?

[LayzieDES]

Cabrera also projects as a good defender. I don't think Schoop's defense provides THAT significant an advantage. To answer your question, Schoop ranked as the 7th best defender at 2B last year in the majors based on fangraphs' defensive rankings. Behind Pedroia, Kinsler and Kendrick in the AL.

Offensively, he ranked 34th out of 35 2B with at least 300 PAs in wRC+. Stephen Drew was worse.

Can we just use the DH for him instead & let the pitchers take a crack at it?

[canonfaz]

My question is was it worth it to the O's to spend 2.4 M just to challenge Schoop to be more patient? Does Cabrera have options?

Yeah. He has 1 option.

[fearthenoodle]

My question is was it worth it to the O's to spend 2.4 M just to challenge Schoop to be more patient? Does Cabrera have options?

He has an option, but I'm not sure how much it will come into play, since at worst he should be a better utility option than Flaherty. That assumes obviously that his off-the-field issues are in order.