2:45pm: Cabrera says he's not retiring after 2011 and that his comments were misunderstood, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (Twitter links). The infielder hopes to play for many more years, according to Bastian. Cabrera says shifting to second base could prolong his career by two or three years, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer (on Twitter).
11:03am: Orlando Cabrera told the Colombian paper El Universal that he would like to reach 2000 hits (he needs 52) and 500 doubles (he needs 57) before he retires (link in Spanish, translated by MLBTR's Nick Collias). But Cabrera says he'll be ready to retire after the season, since he wants to leave the game on his own terms.
"This is my last season," Cabrera said. "Something I’ve seen in professional ball since I signed, and something that has made an impression on me, is when a manager calls a player to his office to release him. That, for me, is the saddest thing I’ve seen outside of the death of a beloved family member. It’s something indescribable, although it’s normal in this job. I’ve always said my retirement would be under my own terms, and this is a great opportunity for me. I’m leaving without them telling me, ‘We don’t want to see you anymore around here.’"
Cabrera, 36, signed a one-year, $1MM deal with the Indians this month. The Cartagena, Colombia native posted a .263/.303/.354 line in 537 appearances for the NL Central Champion Reds last year and says he drew interest from 10-12 teams this offseason.
After the 2011 season, Jose Reyes will lead a class of free agent shortstops that includes J.J. Hardy and Jimmy Rollins and potentially Rafael Furcal and Marco Scutaro.
Good luck getting 57 doubles in a season where he’ll probably be playing part-time.
i laughed at the 57 doubles. he would need 3 more seasons to accomplish that
As long as he gets the playing time the hits shouldn’t be a problem. He’s going to need to talk with Jose Bautista though and learn his secret if he wants to clear 57 doubles though. At his best he was good for 40+ doubles but that only lasted about four years. As a 36 year old I have a hard time seeing him best his previous high by 10. Good luck to him. Nice to see players go out the way they want to.
He is a bit like a Juan Pierre in that he has a low OBP, but doesn’t strike out much, because he puts a lot of balls in play. It’s too bad more of them didn’t fall for hits. I wish him the best.
He just wants them to feel really bad if they decide to release him this year.
He should take the 1 mill deal from the Indians as a sign that this is his last year anyway he may retire on his own terms after this season but getting a 1 mill deal from one of the worst teams in the league means no one else wants you
I’d trade what I’m doing right now to be paid 1 million to play a year for the Indians. And I bet you would too.
That’s nice. What the heck does this have to do with jwsox’s point?
Nothing.
If nobody really wants him then he would be signed to a minor league deal with no guarantees at all. He got a major league deal which is better then what some other big leaguers can say. If he gets his bat back to where it was before last year he could still have some time left at the MLB level. Granted it would probably be as a veteran backup but that’s just the natural progression of aging. My point is Cabrera brings value to a club beyond just the numbers. Just ask the young players on the Reds roster about his influence.
If that was your original point then I can only counter with this:
o Jerry: “Oh you’re crazy”
o Kramer: “Am I? Or am I so sane that you just blew your mind?”
o Jerry: “It’s impossible”
o Kramer: “Is it? or is it so possible your head is spinning like a top?”
o Jerry: “It can’t be”
o Kramer: “Can’t it? Or is your entire world just crashing down all around you?”
Well played
or it means he signed with a team that he has the best shot of getting the most playing time to accomplish his career goals…
He has interest from “10-12 teams” and picks the Indians with a part time job? Really?
The other teams probably offered him minor league deals
get ready then, cleveland. he is gonna get thrown out at second trying to stretch groundball basehits like 30 times this season
…Only if he hits the ball where Johnny Damon is playing… maybe
if damon is in left he might not even get thrown out at third
speaking as a Rays fan it’s pretty sad when MANNY may be the better choice to play OF and let Damon DH…My 7 yr. old has a better arm.
Red Sox fans everywhere thank you.
Most fans: “Who cares?”
Dodger Fans: Holy god, is this is a threat!! Hes got LAD 2012 written all over him.
Will he be taking his crusty helmet with him when he does retire?
Why do all these players, managers, etc keep getting what they say misenterpreted?
Especially by that much. He’s saying the complete opposite of what was reported by El Universal. Someone needs to work on their Spanish, either Cabrera or the Spanish newspaper.
Was the original story, complete with numerous quotes from Cabrera regarding retiring after this season, completely made up?? Or maybe MLBTR needs a better translator haha
“This is my last season,” Cabrera said.
And what are we misinterpreting???
He was referring to his offseason cockfighting league. The reporter misunderstood.
“This is my last season…going by the name Orlando Cabrera. The next team who signs me will see my signature spelled ‘Chacho Libre El Capitan.'”
Dang, I was hoping that guy really was going to retire after this year. He’s like an angry clown, and no team ever wants to keep him around.