clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Cabrera is getting is shape

By craig

Yes, I know the joke about he was already in shape, box.  But you know what they mean.

One way for teams in the Miguel Cabrera hunt to rationalize not meeting the Marlins' asking price is by pointing to the "bad body." Cabrera ballooned above 250 pounds, perhaps giving teams such as the Angels and Dodgers pause as to whether he's worth not only the prospects, but the money it'll take to keep him long term.

Based on several accounts, any general manager employing that reasoning might ultimately regret it.

Cabrera has spent the offseason training at Davie-based Perfect Competition Athletic Development, which tailors comprehensive performance enhancement, skill development and nutrition programs for pro and amateur athletes.

---

"He's already gotten great results. He's dropped weight. His muscle, his body composition is improving. His flexibility and agility is already improving. In a very short period of time, he's already made significant gains that are noticeable."

Friend and fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, the White Sox's manager, corroborated that account. Speaking at the Winter Meetings on Monday, Guillen estimated Cabrera has lost at least 15 pounds.

And it goes on.

"He's a man that's matured a lot the last three months," said Guillen, who last saw Cabrera on Sunday. "He's realized what kind of player he can be and what he can bring to the table ...Whoever gets this kid is going to have a hell of a ballplayer with a different mentality. I guarantee you that."

You know, that is great and all and I'm happy for Cabrera but something doesn't strike me the right way about this.  Especially now that it is possible he will be playing for a new team and he is all of a sudden serious about getting into shape and trying to be the best ballplayer he can be?  

Maybe it is as Guillen says, that he has matured, but still it would've been nice if he would have made that effort to be a Marlin.  Which, of course, he still may be when it is all said and done.

Now comes my favorite part.

"He's determined to play wherever with whoever. The Marlins should think about what they're doing, but they never make a bad trade. They know what they're doing, they know what they want, they know what they're looking for and that's what they're going to get."

While I agree for the most part the Marlins baseball people know what they are doing, but never made a bad trade?  I beg to differ and I won't even bother going back beyond last season.

How about Yusmeiro Petit for Jorge Julio or Randy Messenger for Armando Benitez?  While the two deals may stay in Marlins lore for a very long time, it won't be because of their success.

More From Fish Stripes