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Padres Rumors: Everth Cabrera Close to Deal with Orioles?

By James Clark |

Former All-Star and San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera is reportedly close to signing a one year deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Cabrera has already taken a physical for the Orioles and the terms of the one-year contract are said to be $2.4 million for 2015. To me, that seems like a hefty price tag for someone with Cabrera’s baggage.

In August of 2013, the month after being selected the only San Diego Padre in the All-Star Game, Cabrera was suspended 50 games for PED use. His most recent troubles stem from an incident on the 125 freeway in early September. He was pulled over and charged with driving under the influence of marijuana. In November an additional charge of resisting arrest was added on and Cabrera plead not guilty in December. He has an April 13th trial date scheduled.

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With a history of drug abuse and legal troubles, I really can’t believe the Orioles deem him worthy of a Major League contract. $2.4 million dollars for less than a season (legal issues), is ridiculously high. Cabrera has a lot of potential and has flashed signs of being a legitimate lead-off hitter, so I guess it’s not that big of a surprise.

Cabrera is viewed as a potential lead-off hitter and second baseman. The Orioles already have J.J. Hardy at shortstop and he is not going anywhere. Cabrera will compete with Ryan Flaherty and Jonathan Schoop for two middle infield roles. Baltimore Orioles GM Dan Duquette has a long history of gambling on players. Last season he took a chance on another Biogenesis graduate Nelson Cruz. He was greatly rewarded with a career year for Cruz. He is looking to strike gold, two years in a row.

Everth Cabrera started with the Colorado Rockies organization. He was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Padres in late 2008. In spring training of 20o9 Cabrera stole nine bases and made the team as a back-up infielder. He ended up missing two months due to a hand injury, but still managed to get into 103 games. A .255 average and 25 steals was productive to say the least.

Shoulder injuries, hamstring injuries and hand injuries have all taken a toll on him. He plays hard, but always seems to be dinged up. In the first half of 2013, Cabrera was on fire. He was hitting .291 with a .373 on base percentage and 39 stolen bases. The PED scandal hit and it all went downhill from there. Last season Everth Cabrera hit .232 in 90 games while battling injuries. He was released after his incident with the California Highway Patrol.

The ironic part of this whole thing is Everth Cabrera is exactly what the San Diego Padres need. A shortstop who can lead off and steal bases. That is what the Padres have been looking for this whole off-season, isn’t it? Jurickson Profar, whom the Padres were sure to have interest in, is now lost for most of the 2015 season. He finally decided to have surgery on his torn labrum after failing to do so last season.

Everth Cabrera burned his bridge here evidently, as the Padres basically wished him good luck and showed him the door. A known steroid user with injury issues is not what the Padres need. I’m glad AJ Preller and Padres management didn’t get swayed by what Cabrera could be. Ultimately the reality is, he probably will never live up to those potential number. The league is full of players just like that, for once they are not in the Padres starting line-up. Bravo.

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