Beer League: Is Miguel Cabrera Still a First Round Risk?
Miguel Cabrera is hitting shots again.
Another Shot, a Mug Shot, from Cabrera.
Unfortunately, it’s not the kind of shots that the Detroit Tigers would like him to be hitting.
Late Wednesday, Miguel Cabrera was arrested on a drunken driving charge just 110 miles south of Lakeland where the Tigers are conducting Spring Training. Inside the vehicle, Cabrera smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and took a swig from a bottle of scotch in front of a deputy, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. He refused to cooperate and more deputies were called to the scene.
This isn’t the first time that Cabrera has been playing in the beer league. Late in the 2009 season, police said Cabrera got into a fight with his wife after a night of drinking, shortly before his team lost a key game. The Tigers then lost an AL Central tiebreaker to Minnesota.
During spring training last year, Cabrera said he was done drinking alcohol after he spent much of the offseason in counseling. ”You guys write in the paper ‘alcoholic,’ that’s not right,” he said last March before a spring training workout. “I don’t know how to explain, but it’s not an alcohol problem.” Sounds like a true…alcoholic.
Most fantasy baseball managers are looking for an even bigger year in 2011 for Miguel Cabrera now that he has some added protection in the Tiger lineup from Victor Martinez. The 27-year-old hit .328 with 38 homers last year during a season that saw him finish second in the American League MVP voting.
When you look at the first round, there’s no doubt that Cabrera is there in any mixed league. In fact, Cabrera is likely the #3 pick in the draft behind Albert Pujols and Hanley Ramirez.
Let us know what you think. Does Cabrera’s alcohol problems give you the yips in selecting him in the first round? Have you dropped him in your draft projection because of the latest drinking incident?
Let us know what you think in the comments section. We’ll publish the best ones here in a future post.
February 21st, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Let's face it. MLB won't do anything and the Tigers won't do anything. The guy needs to be suspended for violating MLB player policy, but he's an important cog in putting people in the seats in the Motor City so that won't happen. Make him your #3 pick unless you want Tulo instead.
February 21st, 2011 at 7:53 pm
I saw the Tiger GM on MLB Network talking about Cabrera and he referred to him as an alcoholic. I thought that was interesting for the GM to do that. Perhaps, he'll pay a fine or get suspended by the Tigers. I'd move him back a few slots in the draft. He's a ticking time bomb just ready to explode again.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Why should he be fined or suspended when he broke no rules? The right thing to do is have him meet with a counselor and figure out what the next real world step should be. If he needs rehab, then get him in rehab for as long as need be. Better to get his head on straight now before he kills himself or someone else!
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 am
He may not have broken a rule, but this is clearly a level of misconduct. Kids look up to major leaguers. If he were a utility infielder, he may be more likely to be disciplined by the Tigers.
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:23 am
I really had Cabrera tabbed as the MVP in the AL this year. This makes me think twice. I have the third spot in my fantasy league draft and I now think that Tulo is the wiser choice. He won't put up Cabrera's power numbers, but he is more reliable. Cabrera is now on my "injury prone" list.