Cleveland Indians sign SS Asdrubal Cabrera to 1-year $4.55 million deal to avoid arbitration

Asdrubal Cabrera signs one-year deal to keep Indians record for avoing arbitration since 1991 intact. Cabrera's hearing was scheduled for Wednesday.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerAsdrubal Cabrera avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' record for avoiding arbitration is at 21 years and counting after they signed shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year $4.55 million deal Friday.

Cabrera was scheduled to go to arbitration Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Indians have not had a player go to arbitration since 1991.

The midpoint between Cabrera's salary request of $5.2 million and the Indians offer of $3.75 million was $4.475 million. The final number registered just above the midpoint.

"We're very pleased we could get a settlement done with Asdrubal and avoid the arbitration process," said GM Chris Antonetti.

While not naming Cabrera, Antonetti said the Indians will continue to be open to discussing multiyear deals with certain players. Cabrera, entering his fifth season, can be a free agent after 2013.

Last year Cabrera was the starting shortstop for the American League All-Star team. He won the Silver Slugger award, was a finalist for the Gold Glove and was named Man of the Year by Cleveland's Chapter of the Baseball Writer Association of America.

Cabrera, 26, hit .273 (165-for-604) with 32 doubles, three triples, 25 homers and 92 RBI. He led the Indians in runs (87), hits (165), RBI (92) and stolen bases (17), while setting a club record for homers by a shortstop.

The Indians had seven players file for arbitration in January. They signed for a toal of $22.69 million: Shin-Soo Choo $4.9 million, Cabrera $4.55 million, Chris Perez $4.5 million, Justin Masterson $3.85 million, Rafael Perez $2.005 million, Joe Smith $1.75 million and Jack Hannahan $1.135 million.

"The final numbers didn't deviate from what we expected the total to be," said Antonetti.

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2012/02/cleveland_indians_sign_ss_asdr_1.html

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