What can be expected from Cabrera?

[LittleOzzy]

As part of TSN.ca's 2013 MLB Season Preview, we will be rolling out stories this week on five pressing questions facing the Toronto Blue Jays this season. The second question facing the team: What type of season should be expected from outfielder Melky Cabrera?

It's not every day that a team can add a reigning All-Star MVP with a .346 average via free agency.

It's even rarer to do so for under $10 million per year.

But those two facts do not factor in the entirety of Melky Cabrera's 2012 campaign.

The Toronto Blue Jays landed the 28-year-old Dominican early on in the free agent period, less than a week after re-shaping its roster and identity through a blockbuster with the Miami Marlins.

The Jays acted quickly on a player that – despite an impressive statistical 2012 season – was forced to sit 50 games after a failed drug test.

Cabrera – aside from a shady attempt at a web-based cover-up – took the suspension in stride, sitting patiently off to the side as his Giants teammates won a World Series without his help and removed himself from consideration for the batting title that would have come his way despite the suspension.

The Jays got Cabrera on a bargain based on his 2012 numbers, but which Cabrera should the Jays expect in their order in 2013?

Looking at Cabrera's 2012 numbers (113 GP, 11 HR, 60 RBI, .346/.390/.516) it's clear that his performance was enhanced. But if the Jays get Cabrera performing somewhere around his prior numbers, is the investment worth the risk?

His 2012 season aside, Cabrera is still a career .275 hitter. He's a player with an on-base percentage that has fluctuated between .315 and almost .340 when eliminating the high and low water marks (and, again, eliminating his 2012 numbers entirely) that has plenty of experience with the American League East, having patrolled the Yankees outfield for his first four Major League seasons.

The Jays plan to look to Cabrera to bridge the gap between Jose Reyes explosive lead-off potential and the power pack of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.

If he can get on base regularly or, at worst, move Reyes into scoring position when he reaches, the Jays line-up becomes significantly more dangerous than 2012 when the club got a combined .241 average out of its one-two hitters and had a sub-.300 on-base percentage from the lead-off spot.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/story/?id=419133

[engageTHEmasses]

i'm hoping for .285AVG, .320OBP, 12HR, 80RBI, 15SB

i think he's actually got a lot better in him, PED's aside, but that'd be great production for our #2 bat.

[Lateral Quicks]

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but I must say he looks unnaturally massive this spring.

I just want him to get on base at a good clip and play good defense.

[Hendrix]

i'm hoping for .285AVG, .320OBP, 12HR, 80RBI, 15SB

i think he's actually got a lot better in him, PED's aside, but that'd be great production for our #2 bat.

Actually, that would be pretty poor production for a corner outfielder in the #2 slot.

From a #2 batter that is hitting before mashers like Bautista, and EE, you want someone that is getting on base more than .320. And, that is decently below his career obp too.

[s e n s i]

I expect an above-avg season, whatever that is, both at the plate and in the field. likely worth a grain of salt but the guy has looked amazing at the dish this spring. plate coverage looks awesome.