Melky Cabrera

2013

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2012

2011 was a banner year for the "Milk Man" as he posted career bests in batting average, slugging percentage, walk rate, home runs, RBI, steals, runs and, not surprisingly, plate appearances. It should be noted that the center fielder's numbers were somewhat fueled by a .332 BABIP, which was also a career high. Still, Cabrera proved to be a valuable asset to the Royals as he was traded in the offseason to the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez. In San Francisco, his power numbers likely will dip, something owners will want to keep in mind on draft day. As for his speed, it's not likely that the 2012 Giants run as often as the 2011 Royals did, so don't bank on him automatically producing another 20-steal season.

2011

Cabrera's bounce-back 2009 season made him appear to be a potential fantasy impact player as he registered double digits home runs and stolen bases. However, he struggled last season and never maintained a starting role after he was traded to the Braves. He doesn't have great plate discipline and his power declined sharply as he hit just four home runs. He'll compete for the starting center-field job after signing with Kansas City, but may be better suited for a reserve role since he can play all three outfield positions.

2010

Despite losing his center-field spot to Brett Gardner in the spring last year, Cabrera eventually regained the role and improved his offensive numbers from 2008: .274/.336/.416. Even with the improvement, however, he was often the weakest link in the Yankees' lineup, which led to his trade to the Braves for Javier Vazquez. He has a better chance of keeping an everyday job in the Atlanta outfield with weaker competition, but he could move to a reserve role once Jason Heyward is ready for the majors or fall into a platoon role with Matt Diaz. Still, with regular playing time he could help fantasy teams with double digits in home runs and stolen bases.

2009

Despite opening the season as the Yankees' starting center fielder, Cabrera played his way out of that role by the end of August and was actually sent down to Triple-A because of his season-long offensive struggles -- .249/.301/.341, 414 at-bats. Johnny Damon and Brett Gardner became viable options to play center during Cabrera's demotion and at press time, both were still in the mix for playing time heading into spring training. At 24, he's still young enough to develop some plate discipline and additional power, but a change of scenery may be the only chance he has of becoming a more productive everyday player.

2008

Johnny Damon battled nagging injuries for most of the season, which opened the door for Cabrera to impress with his glove and essentially take away the starting job in center field by season's end. As he matures, Cabrera will need to take more walks to improve his mediocre on-base percentage, but he appears to be a viable power and speed threat on the rise, especially when you consider the level of talent that will support him in the lineup. He's got the tools to be a 20-20 guy and there will be plenty of runs driven in and scored so long as he's playing everyday. Damon and Jason Giambi have contracts too big to platoon at DH, but the reality is that Cabrera is a much better defensive center fielder than Damon and he should be able to hold on to the starting job.

2007

Injuries to Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield opened the door for Cabrera, who didn't disappoint during his first season in New York. Cabrera seized the rare opportunity to play as a young Yankee prospect, showing good plate discipline (59 strikeouts in 460 at bats) and good speed on the basepaths (12 steals) while drawing a walk in every 10 plate appearances. He's penciled in as the Yanks' fourth outfielder heading into the season, so barring a trade or collapse this spring, Cabrera has put Bernie Williams out of work.

2006

The Yankees turned to the 20-year-old Cabrera in a desperate midseason hunt for a centerfielder, and the results were disappointing. After going 3-for-7 in his first two games, Cabrera was 1-for-12 in his last four and continued to struggle after heading back to the minors. While Cabrera is still very young and could continue to develop, he doesn't have much power or speed. It will likely be at least two years before he's ready to contribute at the major league level and there are far better prospects out there.

2005

Cabrera is a slap-hitting outfielder without great speed or power. He may gain some of the latter as he moves up the ladder, but it's tough to see him finding much of a foothold in the majors before 2007, and probably not with the Yankees.