July 27, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera hits a single during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT

Hopefully you didn’t have any food or drinks near you when you read that, otherwise, I apologize for causing you to choke.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the San Francisco Giants and Melky Cabrera were working on a megadeal that would’ve paid the now Blue Jay anywhere between $75-85 million dollars for his services:

A bullet dodged: At the time Melky Cabrera was suspended, he and SFG were into talks about extension worth something in range of $75m-$85m.

It’s an absurd amount of money for the vast majority of players, including Cabrera, despite his MVP like first half of last season. Even worse for the Giants – had the deal actually went through – the Giants wouldn’t have had any legal recourse to vetoing the deal once/if the performance enhancing drugs came to light as there are no stipulations in the current CBA that would allow it.

Cabrera’s lack of ability to get a deal done with the Giants prior to the steroid debacle and eventual suspension was a costly one as the Melk Man is now playing on a two year, $16 million dollar deal for the Toronto Blue Jays – still a potential overpay, but not nearly the risk the Giants would’ve taken had they come to an agreement on that multi-year deal with Cabrera.

*wipes brow*

That was a close one.

Anybody else feeling nauseated?

July 13, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Melky Cabrera (right) poses for a photo before his game against the Houston Astros at AT&T Park – ©Beck Diefenbach-US PRESSWIRE

Cabrera, who would be eligible to return at some point during the National League Championship series (assuming the Giants advance past the Division Series) had recently asked the Giants if he should prepare for the postseason, as he’s eligible to take part in the instructional league. The Giants, with the clock running down on the suspension, would be forced to make a final decision as they (per players association rules) must inform Cabrera and his agent of the decision, which will further result in how they proceed contractually (releasing Cabrera, etc).

Melky and his representation would be allowed to file a grievance when informed of the result, but, according to Baggs – they don’t plan on doing so:

My understanding is Cabrera is disappointed, but he and his reps do not plan on filing a grievance in response to the club’s decision.

The decision to include or exclude Cabrera from the postseason roster is a two sided sword that has split the fan base. Some, while upset and disappointed in Cabrera’s actions to take PED’s, feel despite the poor decision – he deserves a spot on the roster – mostly due to the talent disparity between he and most likely replacement, Gregor Blanco. For others, it’s an unethical decision to put Cabrera back on the roster – not only for what he did to the fan base and game, but to his teammates, to whom he lied to and from all accounts – essentially ignored as a few players that reached out to Cabrera were ignored.

Either way, it appears the final decision has been made and there will be no Melk served during the 2012 postseason.

Agree or disagree with the Giants’ decision?