Shortstop Cabrera close to a deal with A's

[March 03, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- The Oakland Athletics are close to signing free agent Orlando Cabrera to a $4 million, one-year contract, likely ending former AL Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby's disappointing tenure as the team's starting shortstop.

The Athletics said there would not be an announcement Monday. The deal is contingent on the 34-year-old Cabrera's passing a physical.

Cabrera, a two-time Gold Glove winner, hit .281 with eight home runs and 57 RBIs in 161 games with the Chicago White Sox last season.

He's also played for the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels over a 12-year career.

Crosby, the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year, came to camp as the A's incumbent shortstop, but it was widely know the A's were looking elsewhere.

Crosby, who has a lifetime batting average of .239 and has missed considerable time to injury, spent six weeks during the offseason working with former major leaguer Mark McGwire.

"I want to get better," Crosby said recently. "I know I haven't played as well as I can. I'm changing my approach, my stance. For the most part I think there's always something I can improve upon. I know I have the support of the guys. I take the attitude I'll go out and play."

Crosby finished with an on-base percentage under .300 in each of the past three years. He has cut down on his strikeouts but he has also cut down on his walks, and he hits into too many double plays.

A's manager Bob Geren told the media earlier in the spring that Crosby "is going to be in the lineup and he's going to play."

Crosby hit a home run in his first spring at bat, a towering drive off Milwaukee's Manny Parra. He's hit safely in his first three starts and was batting .429 through Sunday.

[Associated Press]

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