The San Francisco Giants, of course, already landed Carlos Beltran in one of the week's biggest moves, but Brian Sabean wasn't all done making decisions. On Saturday, he's made another one, bringing in one of them experienced veteran infield types:
Orlando Cabrera Traded To Giants For Thomas Neal
Done deal: Indians announce Orlando Cabrera to Giants for OF Thomas Neal.
It isn't immediately clear how Cabrera fits with the Giants, although this could signal the end of the Brandon Crawford Era for the time being. The 36-year-old Cabrera can play second and short, he can make contact, and he's been to the playoffs six times in the last seven years, all of which surely endears him to Bruce Bochy. He's also been a terrible hitter this season.
Meanwhile, Thomas Neal is a nearly-24-year-old corner outfielder. He showed up on some prospect lists before the 2010 season, but since then he’s failed to take a step forward, and this year he’s posted a .295/.351/.409 batting line with triple-A Fresno. With two home runs and 13 walks. He has not been good. He was good, once, and those tools are still in there, somewhere, but he’ll probably never be more than an outfield reserve. At best. Of course, you can ask for only so much in return for a 36-year-old backup infielder.
The Giants might be done, or they might not. They might still have some young players they can replace with older players before Sunday afternoon.
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