Melky Cabrera

I’m sure most of you have been in the following situation: You make a decision, it turns out bad, and when you look back at it you realize that you overlooked a major factor which likely led to your bad decision.

Well that’s how I feel about the Atlanta Braves left-field situation right now.

After an offseason of speculating players, platoons, and positions, I realize that I overlooked an obvious solution from the beginning: Eric Hinske.

I must admit, I didn't foresee the Yankees being so busy this offseason.

They are the World Series champions, after all. Unless you're the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals, this means you already are an excellent team. You've proven this, because, um, you won the World Series.

When a friend told me this morning that Melky Cabrera had been traded, I was shocked.

It wasn't even a rumor. It just happened. Abruptly.

Despite Melky's inconsistency at the plate, he was a fan favorite in New York.
Teammates and fans enjoyed his jovial demeanor on a team generally regarded as rigid. It has always seemed like Melky plays for his love for baseball rather than for the money he earns.

Whether he was chasing down a deep fly ball, making his signature wide turn around first, or delivering in the clutch, Melky was a joy to watch every night.

For most Braves fans, this was not the deal that they were looking for. With a surplus at the pitching postition, Atlanta was poised to deal one of either Javier Vazquez or Derek Lowe.

With Derek Lowe's recent comments about being on the trading block, it left most Braves fans, including myself, with the thought he was surely the one to be traded. However, with three years and 45 million dollars due to Lowe, the Braves found that option rather difficult.

Come on now, this is getting a little ridiculous.

A year after acquiring the high-priced trio of C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett, and a couple of weeks after trading for spark plug Curtis Granderson, the New York Yankees have added Javier Vazquez -- a quality right-handed starter -- to their already loaded roster.

And all they had to give up was Melky Cabrera and a couple of prospects?

Jeez. Why do I have to be a Mets fan?