Melky Cabrera will receive a playoff share, despite being left off roster

Miguel Cabrera's postseason check depends on how many games the Giants play. (US Presswire)

Melky Cabrera issued a statement that he'll be rooting on the Giants in the playoffs despite the fact the team announced he wouldn't join the team in the playoffs. And there's a good reason he should be rooting for a World Series title for the Giants -- money.

From the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman:

By virtue of the number of games Cabrera played for the Giants, he is eligible for a postseason share. It would have been a full share — by rule — had he not been suspended. But the Joint Drug Agreement requires that a suspended player's share be reduced by the percentage of regular-season games he missed if — and this is key — the suspension also covers more than half of the team's postseason games.

Cabrera's suspension lasts five games into the playoffs. Thus, if the Giants play nine or fewer postseason games, Cabrera will get 72.2 percent of a full share. (117 games on the roster before his drug suspension divided by a 162-game season). If the Giants play 10 or more postseason games, Cabrera gets a full share.

Cabrera, who was suspended 50-games for violating MLB's drug policy, issued a statement on Thursday:

While I am disappointed that I won't have the chance to join my team for the playoffs, I wish my teammates the best in the postseason and I'll be rooting hard for them to bring another World Championship to San Francisco!

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he will use Gregor Blanco and Xavier Nady in left field, and he might also use Brandon Belt.

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