An honest goodbye.

Yesterday Melky Cabrera was released by the Braves, and everyone who watched him play this year breathed a sigh of relief. Acquired last off season in a trade that sent Javier Vasquez to the Yankees, Cabrera didn't play up to the same standards that he had in pinstripes. 

Lackadaisical outfield play, a strong arm suddenly very inaccurate, and on base skills that headed south as soon as he did. Just a few reasons keeping him around made no sense. GM Frank Wren has said that they never expected to keep him for more than one season, but probably hoped that he would earn himself out of their price range instead of leaning on past successes for his arbitration raise.

So goodbye Melky we hardly knew ye', and that may be a good thing.

Also released yesterday was veteran reliever Takashi Saito, he preformed well in just over 50 innings this year. It was a contractual clause that was designed to allow him to hit free agency early, not his performance that was the reason for him being released. At 41 he feels he can still play at a high level, but the Braves will search for a more durable veteran arm this off season.

Removed from the 40 man roster was long time minor league catcher J.C. Boscan. After 14 minor league seasons he finally got a call up this September, in his only at bat he walked and scored a run. Speculation is that he will either be brought back on a minor league deal or could be offered a job within the organization.

The Yankees felt the full force of the Rangers Claw last night, with home runs by Hamilton, Cruz and Molina the Rangers are one game away from going to their first World Series. Tonight in game five the Rangers will send lefty C.J. Wilson against the immovable C.C. Sabathia  in a game one rematch that could decide the series.

Wilson out dueled Sabathia in game one only to have the bellpen spoil his electric performance.