http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130916&content_id=60757022&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor
Melky Cabrera seemed to be a player on the decline this season, but do you think the tumour that was removed from his back can help explain why he looked so bad? Or do you think his best years are now behind him?
-- Adam D., Barrie, Ontario
The Blue Jays spent almost this entire season trying to figure out what was wrong with Cabrera. He arrived at Spring Training in good shape, was moving well and appeared set to have a successful season after signing a two-year, $16 million contract during the offseason.
But the problems began almost immediately, as Cabrera began the season with a lack of mobility on the basepaths and in left field. Some struggles at the plate would have been understandable, but it was incredibly bizarre to see someone at just 29 years old moving around with so much difficulty.
Toronto examined both of Cabrera's legs on multiple occasions but couldn't find a cause. It wasn't until the former All-Star admitted to having back pain that the organization found the benign tumour and was able to have it removed without any complications in early September.
The presence of a tumour can never be considered a positive thing, but at least now the Blue Jays have something concrete to point to as being a main reason behind his lack of mobility. The location of the tumor inside of Cabrera's spine created a lot of pressure and ultimately sent waves of pains through his legs.
That should now be a thing of the past, and the Blue Jays can realistically hope for a bounce-back season in 2014. There are no guarantees it will happen, but Cabrera is expected to make a full recovery prior to Spring Training, and considering he is set to earn $8 million next season, he will be given every opportunity to win regular playing time.
Do you expect the Blue Jays to pick up Adam Lind's option for next season? Or will they look elsewhere for help in the middle of the order?
-- Justin R., Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Lind's chances of being back next year seemed remote a couple of months ago, but that has changed in recent weeks. The main reason is that the Blue Jays found the cause behind Cabrera's issues this season, which has opened up another spot in the lineup.
The line of thinking back in July was that Cabrera would probably need to shift to designated hitter because of his lack of range in left field. Now that Toronto diagnosed Cabrera's problem, he is once again expected to start in the field, which opens up the DH spot for someone else.
It's a position that Lind has been accustomed to for the past few seasons, and there's a realistic shot he could have his $7 million team option picked up for next year. If Toronto did decide to part ways with Lind, it would still cost the club a $2 million buyout, so the difference of $5 million might not be that expensive for a player who just surpassed the 20-homer plateau, while maintaining an average above .270 for most of the year.