Oakland Athletics Sing Free-Agent Shortstop Orlando Cabrera
For a cool four million bucks, the Athletics have now secured the services of Orlando Cabrera for one year. According to Buster Olney, Oakland is also close to signing former superstar Nomar Garciaparra. The signing of Cabrera is an interesting one on many levels, and in some ways it is quite puzzling.
Cabrera is a shortstop that can give you a good bit of versatility. He is still relatively young at only 34 years old, and the Athletics have been looking for a replacement for former rookie of the year Crosby. Crosby still is a very talented player, and is considered to be in the Athletics plans as a utility player at least. After a fantastic rookie start, Crosby has since faltered particularly with his batting average.
The biggest upgrade the Athletics are getting putting Cabrera at shortstop is in the average and on base percentage categories. Crosby has struggled mightily averaging only .239 over his career. His on base percentages are also quite poor. Cabrera is a solid hitter as shown last season with his .281 avg., eight homers, and 57 RBIs attest. He also is still an effective base stealer having stolen 19 bases last season.
Garciaparra is being sought primarily for depth and flexibility in the infield one would assume. He is far from the player that set the Major Leagues on fire early in his career. Still, he is an effective player capable of having very good stretches. He would be the ideal candidate for infield utility play.
Oakland appears to be making some serious moves towards trying to once again contend. Their anemic lineup the last couple of years has been upgraded in the offseason considerably. The addition of Cabrera, Jason Giambi, and free agent superstar Matt Holliday is sure to jump start an offense that had been struggling to score runs. Adding Nomar to the mix would further enhance that lineup.
Cabrera also gives the Athletics a powerful defensive source at the shortstop position as Cabrera is a two time gold glove winner over his career at the position. While he is not as quick as he once was, he is still better than average and makes all the plays that he should make.
The announcement for the Cabrera signing is expected to take place Monday or Tuesday.
