December 20, 2008
An Improvement?
The Nationals pick up a pitcher off the Orioles' scrap heap.
Daniel Cabrera is no longer an Oriole, but he's not leaving the area.
Cabrera, who wasn't tendered a contract by the Orioles last week, has signed a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Washington Nationals, pending a physical, according to an industry source.
The Orioles would have had to pay him likely between $3 and $4 million in 2009 had they offered him arbitration.
Cabrera posted a 5.05 ERA during his career. If you knock down his ERA a bit for pitching in the National League, he would rank about third in the Nationals rotation.
The trick, of course, is to get Cabrera's walks down. If the Washington coaching staff can accomplish that feat, they might have a #1 starter on their hands.
If I was in an NL only fantasy league I'd look at Cabrera as a possible bargain. He is the classic guy that just needs the light bulb to go off. I'm not comparing him to Ryan or Johnson, but both of those guys took time and a change of scenery to blossom.
I'm guessing how well he does will be dependent on two things:
1) The Nationals infield defense.
2) How many walks he gives up.
Cabrera has always allowed - even when he was winnng and had a low ERA - too many baserunners.