Impact Analysis: Orlando Cabrera, Oakland Athletics

March 10, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Rob McCarthy
Edited by Tim Heaney

The Oakland Athletics inked former Chicago White Sox shortstop Orlando Cabrera to a one-year, $4 million deal Monday, March 2. With the move, the two-time Gold Glove winner will likely push Oakland's injury-plagued incumbent shortstop Bobby Crosby to the trading block or to a cozy spot on the bench.

Cab, please!

Last season for the White Sox, Cabrera hit .281 with eight long balls, 57 RBIs, 93 runs scored, 19 stolen bases and a .705 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in a career-high 661 at-bats. Ever since what many consider to be his breakout campaign in 2003 with the Montreal Expos when he notched career highs in batting average (.297), home runs (17) and OPS (.807), "O-Cab" has remained fairly consistent offensively.

Over his last five campaigns, he has averaged 8.6 long balls, 66.8 RBIs, 86.6 runs scored, 20.6 stolen bases and a decent .278 batting average. Cabrera is as consistent as they come - he can still hit for subtle power, make decent contact and steal a serviceable amount of bases. His batting eye ratio and contact rate have been above-average in each of his last nine seasons.

On the flip side, his 71 whiffs in 2008 qualified as a career high for Cabrera. His .281 batting average, 33 doubles, 57 RBIs, 93 runs scored, 19 steals, .334 on-base percentage, .371 slugging percentage and .705 OPS marked his lowest totals in each category over his last three seasons. Also, the six times he was caught swiping bags in 2008 was his highest amount since the seven times he was bagged in 2002 with Montreal.

Straight A's?

Rumors are circulating that he may bat leadoff, a spot in the order, where he has maintained a .273 average with a .318 OBP in 896 career at-bats. However, once spring training wraps up, you'll likely see the 34-year-old shortstop hit in the No. 2 hole, where he sports a .286 average with a .338 OBP in 1,813 lifetime at-bats.

The change of scenery should suit Cabrera well, especially after calling out his former White Sox teammates in a September 2008 radio interview where he accused them of not coming out every single game night with a winning attitude.

It remains to be seen if a winning attitude will take shape in Oakland, but the new additions of outfielder Matt Holliday and first baseman Jason Giambi bring names into the mix that have competed in October and know what it takes to get there, just like Cabrera.

New digs

In 2008, Cabrera was taking his home hacks in one of the best hitters' parks in Major League Baseball. He sported a .280 average and a .705 OPS in 329 at-bats last season inside the walls of U.S. Cellular Field. Over his career, he sports a .284 mark with a .720 OPS in 415 career at-bats there.

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (formerly McAfee Coliseum) poses a different conundrum for Cabrera, as it's one of the most favorable big league parks for pitchers. However, in 13 at-bats last season, Cabrera hit .308 there. Over his career though, he has hit a miserable .226 with a .579 OPS in 137 at-bats, which is something to consider if you plan on waiting until the later rounds to nab a shortstop.

Fantasy baseball outlook

Now that O-Cab has a team, he's a suitable middle infielder for a deep mixed squad. He of course doesn't have the typical reliability he has toted in recent years, but he's still a solid shortstop who won't hurt you too much as long as you don't put too much stock into him.

The A's offense has improved, but expect his run-production numbers to take a bit of a hit without the comfort that U.S. Cellular Field and true mashers like outfielders Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin and designated hitter Jim Thome provided him.

He can still give you upwards of 20 stolen bases, though, and still posts big at-bat totals. It's still a risk to take him if you're counting on 600 at-bats.

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Rob McCarthy
Rob has been with KFFL since 2007.

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