ORLANDO – Miguel Cabrera is the only third baseman on the market – and executives at the GM Meetings say Florida is definitely open to listening on the slugger – who can approximate Alex Rodriguez’s offense.
That is why the Yankees have interest in Cabrera. They also are in the unique position of having great insider information. The Yankees’ new manager, Joe Girardi, was Cabrera’s Marlins skipper in 2006.
And inside information is needed on Cabrera since his reputation extends to more than elite young slugger. Teams express concerns about both Cabrera’s love of nightlife and an expanding girth that might soon make him a first baseman or DH, though he is only 24.
Yet, Girardi, despite his drill sergeant persona, was effusive about Cabrera.
“He’s a great player,” Girardi said yesterday at the GM Meetings. “He really understands the game of baseball. I loved having him . . . I was impressed with how mature he was as a hitter and he didn’t hit in a great hitter’s ballpark.”
Cabrera hit .320 last season with 34 homers and 119 RBIs. He has driven in at least 112 runs in each of his four full seasons. He has a .313 career average and a .388 on-base percentage.
Last season, though, his defense clearly slipped another notch as his flexibility and desire came into question. However, Girardi said, “He can be (a good defender). He has a great set of hands and a great arm.”
As for concerns about off-the-field life, Girardi said, “I did not have any problems with him. He worked hard for me. I had him. I know what he did for me. It (nightlife) was not a concern for me.”
Nevertheless, even if Girardi endorsed Cabrera within internal Yankee meetings, it would remain a long shot that the Yanks could obtain him.
“Obviously you would be very interested because he is such a great young player,” Girardi said. “But everything has to come at the right price.”
Hank Steinbrenner, however, thinks that price might be too high.
“We don’t know yet,” Steinbrenner said. “My sense is that it might be too much, but we’ll see. It’s early.”
A canvas of executives indicated the Yanks would have to trade Melky Cabrera and one of their high-end starters, perhaps Ian Kennedy, but more probably Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain in a package. And there are no signs the Yanks are willing to part with their best young pitchers, even to replace A-Rod.
“I would be hard pressed to trade young talent,” Yankee GM Brian Cashman said. “No one is untouchable. But some are more untouchable than others. I am looking to build around (young pitching). I will be tested a lot and this organization will be tested a lot (in being made offers for those pitchers).”
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The Yankees are moving slowly when it comes to finding a replacement for Rodriguez, in part because they want to inquire on free agent Mike Lowell. The Red Sox have indicated they want to retain Lowell, but they are hesitant to give him a fourth year. The Yankees would be, as well, but like they may have to with Jorge Posada, the Yanks may give the extra year to eliminate the need.
The Yanks like the idea of signing free agents because that would cost only money and (in the case of Lowell) a second-round pick rather than their prospects.
“I think Lowell makes the most sense,” one Yankee official said. “It is funny, we decided to trade Lowell when Scott Brosius was the MVP of the (1998) World Series. Now Lowell is the MVP of the World Series and we might get him back.”
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A sign of change: Joe Torre never came to the GM Meetings or Winter Meetings. Girardi drove up from Fort Lauderdale to be part of discussions with Cashman. And coaches Rob Thomson and Dave Eiland drove from Tampa to talk with Girardi about how to structure spring training. Torre left almost all spring-training scheduling to Thomson.
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Cashman refused to discuss the status of ongoing negotiations with Posada or Mariano Rivera. But rival executives said they have been led to believe the Yanks are moving close to finalizing a new deal for Rivera, and that ultimately the Yanks will keep Posada, as well.