NEW YORK — Fifteen years ago, Melky Cabrera began his big-league career in New York — as a Yankee.
He’s now back in New York, but the circumstances couldn’t be more different.
Cabrera went unsigned over the offseason, but worked out for the Mets before COVID-19 forced sports to shut down. He did not hear from them during the delay, but soon after MLB implemented a season, the club reached out to Cabrera’s agent. They were interested and wanted to sign him.
Now, amid a pandemic-altered season, he’s here at Citi Field for summer camp.
“First and foremost, I just want to thank God for the opportunity,” Cabrera said through interpreter Alan Suriel on Sunday. “But what they did tell me was just to come in and work hard. You just never know what happens. I’m coming in here to work hard and give it my all.”
Cabrera, whom the Mets signed to a minor-league contract, hopes to make the 30-man Opening Day roster. It’s unclear if he will, and if he does, what role he might play.
He’s an outfielder, but manager Luis Rojas recently said the team will also try Cabrera at first base during camp. Cabrera has never played first in the bigs, but said he’s done so in winter leagues.
What also helps Cabrera: The National League adopting the designated hitter for this season. It could help get his bat in the lineup more.
“With the opportunity that I have, I think I’m able to bring veteran leadership and also with the versatility I have, being a switch hitter, in any position they put me in, I think I can help the team,” Cabrera said.
Cabrera, who has played for nine teams, is a career .285 hitter. In 2012 with the Giants, he went to the All-Star game, finished the season with a .346 batting average and 11 home runs, and won a World Series.
NY Mets schedule 2020: Analyzing the 60-game MLB season amid coronarivus pandemic
Yoenis Céspedes: 'I know for certain now that I will be ready' for Opening Day
Last season, Cabrera hit .280 with seven home runs and 47 RBI for the Pirates.
"When you look at a 60-person player pool and you’re really limited to how many players can come on and off your roster — and add the designated hitter — we felt having someone with as accomplished of a career as a hitter as Melky was that he was a perfect fit for us," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said before summer camp opened. "Even at this stage of his career, he has premium bat-to-ball skills and he can get on base for us."
During the delay, Cabrera worked out to remain in top shape in hopes a team would show interest.
Finally, one did.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity,” he said. “(New York) is where I first started my career and I’m grateful for the team to give me this new opportunity to continue playing here.”
More notes below the gallery
Stroman speaks about racism
Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, who is Black, has been vocal on social media as the country grapples with racial injustice.
On Sunday, a reporter asked how athletes can fight racism each day.
"I think the biggest thing is just being aware, being able to take a step back, know that everyone comes from different places, everyone grows up in different cultures, everyone experiences different things," Stroman said. "I think the biggest thing is be able to take a step back and see outside your perspective. Just realize that the world is at a place right now for a reason. Obviously racial inequality and racial injustice is prevailing in America and it’s something that needs to change going forward. I truly hope that everyone sees this at some point and we can all work together toward a common goal.
"I hate it, man. It’s very sad to see and it puts me in a weird place. But we can only do everything we can to move forward and hopefully make changes and take the right steps in that direction."
The halfway point
The Mets are halfway through camp. They’re off on Monday, then will be a full go toward the regular season.
“It’s gone a lot better than what I projected,” Rojas said.
At the beginning, there were challenges. New protocols. So little space for such a comprehensive camp. A different routine.
Rojas and his staff wanted to see how the players would adapt.
The players have not disappointed.
“I thought they’ve done a tremendous job, “Rojas said. “So it’s gone really well, it’s gone a lot better as far as the guys adopting that routine, getting through the whole process of screening coming in and then getting also on the field in both dugouts and keeping the distancing and maintaining that health protocol throughout the day and being able to have fun like they’re having in games.”
Moving forward, the Mets might soon lengthen their intrasquad and simulated games (they've been holding five-inning games). They also hope to add more fundamentals into those games, too.
Of course, they’re looking forward to the weekend, when they’ll face another uniform as they’ll play the Yankees in two exhibition games.
“I’m looking for the guys to sync in fundamentally in the last stretch and we’re going to start implementing those in games and those exhibition games that we have against the Yankees,” Rojas said. “I mean, those are going to be huge as well. You see an opposing uniform and implementing those fundamentals that we’re going to work at starting this Tuesday.”
No timeline for Canó and Brach
Robinson Canó and Brad Brach still were not in camp on Sunday. Canó has not been present since last Monday.
Rojas said there's no timeline on when the Mets will see them.
Justin Toscano is the Mets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Mets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: toscanoj@northjersey.com Twitter: @justinctoscano
"Give" - Google News
July 13, 2020 at 03:37AM
https://ift.tt/2WdqWjN
NY Mets notes: Melky Cabrera will 'give it my all', Marcus Stroman speaks on racism, and more - NorthJersey.com
"Give" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2YqGX80
https://ift.tt/2YquBwx
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "NY Mets notes: Melky Cabrera will 'give it my all', Marcus Stroman speaks on racism, and more - NorthJersey.com"
Post a Comment