Written by Paul Cousineau

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According to Jon Heyman, the Indians are close to signing Orlando Cabrera, who spent last season as the Reds' SS before losing his job, thanks mainly to a 2010 OPS of .657. Where Orlando Cabrera fits on the Indians (assuming he is signed – and there has not been an indication as to whether it would be a Minor League deal or to an MLB contract) is not all that clear as Orlando Cabrera has played all but 33 games in his Big League career at SS, which would seem to be one of the only positions that seems to have an obvious starter in the infield with Asdrubal Cabrera.

 

Perhaps Orlando Cabrera fits into the Adam Everett column as a middle infield depth option that can play SS, perhaps as the Indians' Utility IF as no other player in the infield mix (besides Everett...and yes, I'm excluding Donald here) looks to be a suitable back-up at SS. There is a possibility that Orlando Cabrera is in the mix in the 2B or 3B quagmires, but realize that his cumulative OPS over the last 3 years is .692 (OPS+ of 83) and that his once-steady glovework has been deteriorating for the last few years at SS. Asking him to learn a new position when his bat doesn't justify it would be positively Nixian.

 

If Orlando Cabrera is brought in for depth or figures to have the same chance at contributing as Adam Everett (whose OPS over the last 3 years has been .589 cumulatively), that's all well and good, particularly for a team who is in need of a back-up SS.

Counting on him (or even hoping for him) to be much more than that looks like wishful thinking...