SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera has moved another step closer to completing his deal with the Orioles, as he's on his way to Sarasota, according to an industry source. He should arrive in camp on Tuesday when position players are due to report.
The Orioles and Cabrera reached agreement on a one-year, $2.4 million contract on Wednesday, and the free agent shortstop also took his physical last week. CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported the deal includes $600,000 in incentives.
Cabrera made $2.45 million last season with the Padres.
At least one other issue needed to be resolved before a deal could be completed. In November, Cabrera was charged with resisting arrest after being stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana. It appears that those legal troubles have been resolved, allowing the club to bring Cabrera to the Ed Smith Stadium clubhouse.
The 28-year-old shortstop was a career .248/.319/.333 hitter in six seasons with the Padres before they non-tendered him this offseason.
Update: Executive vice president Dan Duquette hoped to have the deal finalized this week, but he didn't sound optimistic that it would happen today. Perhaps an official announcement will come late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Cabrera, 28, was suspended for 50 games in 2013 for his involvement in the Biogenisis scandal. However, the Orioles took chances on Nelson Cruz, Delmon Young and Alfredo Aceves in the past few years and view Cabrera as providing the needed elements of speed and basestealing ability.
The Orioles are looking for a leadoff hitter and Cabrera, a switch-hitter who's represented by the Boras Corporation, fits the description. He led the National League with 44 stolen bases in 48 attempts in 2012, swiped 37 in 2013 and has batted first in 231 career games, his most at any spot in the order.
Cabrera has played 461 major league games at shortstop and only 12 at second, but the Orioles are convinced that he can move around the infield. He will compete with Jonathan Schoop for the second base job or Ryan Flaherty for a utility role. Schoop and Flaherty also have options.
The Orioles will need to remove a player from the 40-man roster to make room for Cabrera, an NL All-Star in 2013.
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