RADIO
According to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun, it appears the Baltimore Orioles are on the verge of bringing in free agent infielder Everth Cabrera on a one-year deal, worth approximately $2.4 million.
Cabrera is a six-year veteran, having previously spent his entire career in San Diego. He was non-tendered in December after a down season, not to mention off-the-field issues that included a DUI and resisting arrest.
While the former Padre is coming off a lackluster campaign, he enjoyed his best season in 2013, when he hit .283/.355/.381 and racked up 37 stolen bases. In the year prior, he registered a career-high 44 steals, which is the main strength of his game. Cabrera is viewed as one of the best base-stealers in the game, but his inability at the plate -- he’s only hit over .255 just once -- minimizes his overall value.
With J.J. Hardy already established as the club’s starting shortstop, Cabrera will more likely be competing with Jonathan Schoop and Ryan Flaherty for playing time at second base. It’s also possible he cracks the roster and serves as Baltimore’s utility infielder.
