Keeping Tabs on Cameron Maybin

I have tried not to fall into the position of watching and waiting for rookies to make their debuts.  I have been burned numerous times in my card collecting life by the ‘Next Dwight Gooden’ or ‘Next Eric Davis’.

But, when the Florida Marlins traded Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis last year to the Tigers, I was more than curious to see what we were getting in return.   To date, none of the players have been a breakout success with the Marlins.  Andrew Miller had started 20 games for the ‘Fish’ this year before going on the DL and is now working his way through the minors in an attempt to be back with the club by the end of the year.  Catcher Mike Rabelo hit just .202 in 34 games before being demoted.  Both Burke Badenhop and Eulogio De La Cruz embarrased themselves as members of our pitching staff and neither has been seen since July 1.  And Dallas Trahern is bouncing around A and AAA ball with his wonderful 6+ ERA.

So, it’s all up to Cameron Maybin.  He is the last player from the trade that holds any glimmer of hope for all Marlin Fans.  No pressure, but we need him to step up and be our everyday Center Fielder and it would help if he could score runs for us at will as well as steal 25+ bases and hit 25+ home runs every year.  The notes on Maybin are pretty positive and they all just say he needs time to adjust to major league pitching.  Based on his number of strikeouts this season(115 in 101 games) in AA ball, it’s clear he’s not ready to step in just yet.  But everything else looks very promising – .278 batting average, with 68 runs scored, 13 home runs, and 20 steals. 

We’re all keeping our fingers crossed that Maybin can turn into an everyday player because if he does not, this extremely one-sided trade with the Tigers could end up being one of the worst trades in baseball history.

Good Luck Cameron, South Florida is waiting for you!!!