A’s Reportedly Reach Deal With Shortstop Orlando Cabrera

Hey A’s fans, its Jordan here and I hope all is well with everyone. News broke today that the rumors we have been hearing for quite some time about the talks with Orlando Cabrera were definitely true. ESPN’s Buster Olney was the first to report that a one year deal has been agreed on by the Oakland Athletics and Orlando Cabrera for one year and $4 million. From a financial standpoint, I see this as a pretty good move, considering Cabrera was thought to be looking for $9 million when free agency began. What does this mean? It means that Bobby Crosby is slowly being pushed back out the door. As of now, it appears he will be relegated to a utility role, as Cabrera is expected to become the A’s new starting shortstop. Now, the deal will not be official for another few days, but Cabrera will be in Oakland in the next few days, signing the deal and taking a physical.

Cabrera, in his 13 year career has played for the Montreal Expos, the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and last year with the Chicago White Sox. He is a career .274 hiter, with 105 HRs and 684 RBI, which averages roughly 8 homeruns and 52 RBI per season. Last year he hit those 8 homeruns, and drove in 57 RBI, while hitting .281. He has also won two Gold Gloves, which were earned in 2001 and again in 2007. Cabrera seems at the time, for the price, like a good move forward for Oakland for the 2009 season. The A’s are also reportedly negotiating with free agent Nomar Garciaparra, who I personally like, but I don’t quite understand where he fits with this team. I would assume that he would be a bench guy, as he can play each of the infield positions. We shall see what happens in the next few days with these roster changes.

As for the spring training games, which began on Wednesday, Feb. 25 against Milwaukee with a 3-3 tie. The A’s then dropped a pair of games to the Angels and the Brewers, beat the Indians 1-0, and fell to Arizona 9-7. For more in depth coverage on these games, stay tuned in the next few days for my next episode of Athleticscast. Take care everyone, and have a great rest of the week.

That’s How I See It…Let’s Go Oakland!!!