DUNEDIN, Fla. — The drug-stained Melk Man was delivered a second chance by the Blue Jays. Melky Cabrera, though, offered no promises Friday he would not make the same “mistake’’ again.
Cabrera was suspended 50 games by MLB last season for failing a drug test. After the suspension the Giants did not put Cabrera on the postseason roster, costing him a chance to play in the World Series.
When Cabrera was asked if he could promise the Toronto fans he would not make the same “mistake’’ again the outfielder answered through an interpreter: “That was a mistake I made last year, in 2012. It’s 2013. I want to concentrate on being in the field, play hard and help this team win games.”
While not offering any concrete promises, Cabrera was contrite.
“I know I made a mistake, it’s in the past,’’ he said. “This is a team that has a chance to go deep into October that is one of the reasons I signed with this club.’’
Friday Cabrera found himself drawn again into the Biogenesis clinic controversy when ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” obtained documents which contained Cabrera’s name and those of three other major leaguers.
Cabrera, 28, was welcomed with open arms. When he walked into the clubhouse at 8:10 in the morning he went straight to Jose Reyes, who gave him a hug. Cabrera was signed by the Blue Jays this winter to a two-year, $16 million deal after hitting .346 last season before being suspended Aug. 15. His name has surfaced in the Biogenesis scandal, but the Blue Jays believe Cabrera’s performance-enhancing drug problems are behind him.
Interestingly, when Cabrera was asked if he had talked to Alex Rodriguez, he said he had not spoken to his former workout partner with the Yankees.
As for the Giants, Cabrera said he feels he deserves a World Series ring.
“I gave everything I had to that organization,’’ he said.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Cabrera deserves a second chance.
“I see regret,’’ the GM said. “There’s accountability. He served his suspension. … He’s made his bed and now all he can do is move forward.”Make no mistake, he can help us win games.’’
“I made a huge mistake and I paid the price for it,’’ Cabrera said.