Has Melky finally become the player everybody thinks he is?

Hey guys, Mike here.

You all know my thoughts on Melky Cabrera. He is an excellent 4th outfielder, excellent. Especially considering he can play above average defense in all 3 OF positions and he also has a fantastic throwing arm.

But is he a starting CF? Up until this year I would have said no, but after the year he is finally putting together, I will change my answer to possibly. You all know the story of Melky Cabrera; in April, he is probably the greatest player in the history of the world. Then May rolls around and because of his amazing April, it seems as though he is playing well enough. Then June comes and people are starting to notice he isn't playing well anymore. July comes and people get really annoyed, and then in the case of last year, he keep playing so poorly, he is actually sent down to AAA.

Melky has also never been one to draw a walk (just like his buddy Robbie Cano), so even in a year where he would hit .280, he really wouldn't get on base enough to justify him being in the line-up everyday.

This year, things seem different. Melky is actually a real switch hitter (finally hitting lefties, unlike the Wilson Betemit's of the world. Just because you can stand on both side of the plate, that does not mean you're a switch hitter), and although streaky, he has maintained a solid level of production.

His triple slash rates this year are .292/.355/.463 while the average major league CF has rates of .268/.337/.422. Very solid for a player who will be turning 25 this month.

The Yankees were very patient with this kid and it may, may, have paid off. This can be a fluke year, remember, he has been very streaky. Only two weeks ago he was hitting below .270, but again, a hot streak got him above .290 (including a cycle yesterday). For all we know, he could hit a cold spot tomorrow and finish the season at .260, but for now, I have no problem letting the kid play a little ball.

Again, I am not sold on him being an everyday CF quite yet, and I also don't really like him all that much as a person. He annoys me, should know English by now and should not stick his tongue out at the camera if it is on him during the National Anthem. That is how 12 year old's and drunk 50 year old's whose life goal is to get on the jumbo tron do. That's not how you act when you're a professional ballplayer playing for the greatest franchise in sports, let alone any professional franchise. Actually, just don't stick you're tongue out at all. You do it way too much and it's annoying. Also, he has thrown to the wrong base a couple of times in recent games, another thing that cannot be done, but that's just me complaining.

Brett Gardner too I think surprised a lot of people this year (not me, you all know I was always high on Gardner), but with him being injured for the time being, I am not calling for a new CF. If Austin Jackson is not ready to play in the majors next year, Melky and Gardner are going to be playing big roles again with the team and I will be very interested to see how Melky does.

So what do you guys think? I know a lot of you have always been high on Melky, but does this season only confirm what you always thought, or do you still think there's a chance he can hit a slump, or, go back to his old ways next year and slump then? Also, with Damon and Matsui leaving next year, and Jason Bay and Matt Holliday free agents, Austin Jackson getting ready to come up and Swish, Gardner and Melky the only OF's under contract next year, what do you think the OF is going to look like next year?

Update- August 13th

Well, after finally going easy on Melky for the first time in a long time, Melky has made me remember why I was never in his corner in the first place. Since writing this blog 10 days ago, Melky has gone 6/40 and has lowered his batting average 20 points to .272.

Keep up the good work.