Daniel Cabrera

[ThomasTomasz]

Cabrera has really ticked me off. Reports this season have labeled him headstrong, and unwilling to accept teaching. This doesn't surprise me, considering that Cabrera has not learned a changeup. So, he goes out there, and is just a curveball/fastball pitcher. Throwing the same thing, with nothing to rest the strain on his arm, or to throw hitters off.

This really explains how he gets lit up after going through the order once (if he's lucky, twice) and how he hardly lasts into games. It also explains the wildness- trying to overthrow the ball.

Now, an interesting stat: during his time in Ottawa, Cabrera had an ERA of 0.00 in the first four innings of each start. However, he would get hit after those four innings.

Cabrera could be a stud, both on the field and for fantasy players, if he learned this changeup. Erik Bedard was struggling with his changeup this year, and look what happened when Benson showed him Tom Glavine's circle change. Bedard went on a tear in late June. He needs to put in the work with Mazzone this offseason, and develop the change. Cabrera can either be a great reliever without a change, or an ace starter with the change. Its up to how motivated he is.