Orioles sign Daniel Cabrera to one-year-deal

By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
Published: February 7, 2008

BALTIMORE (AP) - While waiting for resolution on the proposed trade of Erik Bedard, the Baltimore Orioles came to terms with another pitcher Thursday, avoiding arbitration with right-hander Daniel Cabrera by agreeing on a one-year contract for $2,875,000.
    A deal that would send Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill and three minor leaguers has been talked about since last January. Although Jones and Sherrill have reportedly taken physicals in Baltimore, the trade has not been finalized.
    Bedard, 13-5 with a team-record 221 strikeouts with the Orioles last season, was expected to take his physical in Seattle before the end of the week.
    Cabrera went 9-18 with a 5.55 ERA in 2007. He earned $1,950,000 and asked for a raise to $3.3 million; the Orioles offered $2.6 million.
    Cabrera led the American League in losses, earned runs allowed (126) and walks (108) last year, but also tied for the league lead with 34 starts. He reached career highs in innings (204 1-3) and strikeouts (166).
    The 6-foot-7, 26-year-old has reached double figures in losses in each of the past three seasons, but the Orioles hope he has not yet realized his full potential. Cabrera is 40-49 lifetime since breaking into the majors with Baltimore in 2004.
    The Orioles also reached agreement Thursday with right-handed pitcher Jim Hoey and left-hander Troy Patton. Hoey went 3-4 with a 7.30 ERA in 23 games with Baltimore after beginning the season with Double-A Bowie. All of his appearances were as a reliever.
    Patton was obtained by the Orioles in the Dec. 12 trade that sent shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros. Patton went 0-2 with a 3.55 ERA in three games with the Astros in 2007, his first major league appearances. He was a combined 10-8 with a 3.51 ERA in 24 starts for Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock last year.