Daniel Cabrera is a Nat!!!

[tomterp]

That, and he's moving to the more "offensively challenged" National League.  I'd expect him to be better here than he was in Baltimore.

But so is any other pitcher likely to show better stats, but that doesn't make him better.

I don't buy any of the "he'll be better in Nats Park", or "better in the NL" BS.

They still award 1 win and 1 loss for each and every game played, regardless of league or park.  Any pitcher would benefit by facing a lineup including a pitcher vs. a DH, but that's true for your opponent as well, so it's all neutral. 

On the other hand, if we think the Saint can help Cabrera find religion, I'm open minded as to the possibility.

[hammondsnats]

I don't buy any of the "he'll be better in Nats Park", or "better in the NL" BS.

really?

you don't think pitching in what is known as a pitcher friendly park will help him out at all?  you don't think facing a line-up without a DH is going to cut down his ERA a bit?  he's not going up against the yankees and red sox week in and week out.  i'm not cutting down on the NL East, but as far as hitters go, AL East > NL East.  And as we've said, we have the Saint!

[MrMadison]

I don't buy any of the "he'll be better in Nats Park",

the same thing WAS said about Austin Kearns after all.

yeah, he's a hitter not a pitcher, but still....Kearns is still Kearns, new stadium be damned.

and Cabrera will still be Cabrera.  hopefully St. Claire can fix him.

[hammondsnats]

the same thing WAS said about Austin Kearns after all.

yeah, he's a hitter not a pitcher, but still....Kearns is still Kearns, new stadium be damned.

and Cabrera will still be Cabrera.  hopefully St. Claire can fix him.

haha i never said that, but i know what you mean.  Kearns sucks.

[tomterp]

really?

you don't think pitching in what is known as a pitcher friendly park will help him out at all? 

you don't think facing a line-up without a DH is going to cut down his ERA a bit? 

I don't accept the premise of your questions.

Pitching in a pitcher friendly park generally helps your opponent just as much as it does you, so what's the benefit of that?  Same with the DH / NL lineup changeout.  Who cares if his ERA is lower, if everyone else's is too?

I'm looking for something that will distinguish him from his peers, while you're observing (metaphorically) that a rising tide lifts all boats. 

[hammondsnats]

Pitching in a pitcher friendly park generally helps your opponent just as much as it does you, so what's the benefit of that? 

It helps him that's for sure!  That's why we need to get better on offense!

[tomterp]

It helps him that's for sure!  That's why we need to get better on offense!

If Daniel Cabrera pitches equally well with last year, he'll have a lower ERA due to ballpark and league factors, assuming equal luck (BABIP, etc.).  I would NOT define that as him getting better, I'd say that the rising tide lifted his boat.  Same boat.

[hammondsnats]

If Daniel Cabrera pitches equally well with last year, he'll have a lower ERA due to ballpark and league factors, assuming equal luck (BABIP, etc.).  I would NOT define that as him getting better, I'd say that the rising tide lifted his boat.  Same boat.

Gold Jacket, Green Jacket, WHO GIVES A crap?  If it gives him better results - which gives us better results - than so be it.  I think the biggest effect of D-Cab coming to the Nats is the Saint.  (and like i said you could also factor the park, the league, etc ... but biggest difference will be our pitching coach)

[tomterp]

If it gives him better results - which gives us better results - than so be it. 

It would be fully expected that he will have better stats by shifting leagues, but that would be true for any pitcher, and vice versa.  He's going to have to improve beyond league and balllpark adjustment factors to get better results (ie help his team win more often).

[blue911]

It would be fully expected that he will have better stats by shifting leagues, but that would be true for any pitcher, and vice versa.  He's going to have to improve beyond league and balllpark adjustment factors to get better results (ie help his team win more often).

Maybe getting away from Rick Kranitz is all the help Cabrera needs.

[tomterp]

Maybe getting away from Rick Kranitz is all the help Cabrera needs.

One can hope.

[blue911]

One can hope.

I remember Natsaddict having less than complimentary things to say about Kranitz.

[MrMadison]

I remember Natsaddict having less than complimentary things to say about Kranitz.

but then again, Cabrera has had Leo Mazzone as well, who is widely hailed as a pitching coach God.

[hammondsnats]

D-Cab liked Ray Miller and from what I recall had pretty good numbers under him.

[wpa2629]

but then again, Cabrera has had Leo Mazzone as well, who is widely hailed as a pitching coach God.

Ask Tomterp (or was it SSB) about the leo mazzone method of pitching coach ... not a good strategy for a power pitcher like Cabrera ...

[PANatsFan]

Ask Tomterp (or was it SSB) about the leo mazzone method of pitching coach ... not a good strategy for a power pitcher like Cabrera ...

I hope it's not the case where some of our pitchers preferred the cuddles and kisses method to the Saint

[wpa2629]

I hope it's not the case where some of our pitchers preferred the cuddles and kisses method to the Saint

No mazzone taught his pitchers to finesse the corners -- The Saint teaches them to pound the strike zone -- right up cabrera's alley ...

[MrMadison]

No mazzone taught his pitchers to finesse the corners -- The Saint teaches them to pound the strike zone -- right up cabrera's alley ...

that requires actually being able to find the strike zone.  which seems to be a particularly thorny issue with Cabrera.

[ronnynat]

I can't wait until you all see Cabrera bat (if you haven't already). It'll be hilarious if we're winning, but you'll want to throw your computer through your TV if we're not.

[wpa2629]

I can't wait until you all see Cabrera bat (if you haven't already). It'll be hilarious if we're winning, but you'll want to throw your computer through your TV if we're not.

He's really bad at that ... really bad

[wpa2629]

that requires actually being able to find the strike zone.  which seems to be a particularly thorny issue with Cabrera.

yeah right -- but if you're a power pitcher with control issues that last thing in the world you should try and do is finesse the corners ... that has disaster written all over it ...

[sportsfan882]

I can't wait until you all see Cabrera bat (if you haven't already). It'll be hilarious if we're winning, but you'll want to throw your computer through your TV if we're not.

He's worse than Bergmann. I remember seeing him in the series against the Nats last year.

[spidernat]

He's worse than Bergmann. I remember seeing him in the series against the Nats last year.

Yep and that's saying a lot. He rivals only Chad Cordero. 

yeah right -- but if you're a power pitcher with control issues that last thing in the world you should try and do is finesse the corners ... that has disaster written all over it ...

Cabrera is a head case who refuses to trust his stuff and just throw. He can pitch in the strike zone and get away with it but his nibbling is what gets him in trouble.

[wpa2629]

Yep and that's saying a lot. He rivals only Chad Cordero. 

Cabrera is a head case who refuses to trust his stuff and just throw. He can pitch in the strike zone and get away with it but his nibbling is what gets him in trouble.

Definitely -- I do think that's where St. Claire can help -- will be interesting to see if he can get it together in DC -- when he's on his stuff is just straight up nasty

[ronnynat]

Definitely -- I do think that's where St. Claire can help -- will be interesting to see if he can get it together in DC -- when he's on his stuff is just straight up nasty

I'd rather St. Claire focus on the young guys this season, but I guess Cabrera is pretty much guaranteed a spot, so "The Saint" needs to work overtime.