Major League Baseball

Reds get SS: Agree to $3M, 1-year deal with Cabrera

Published Feb. 1, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

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The Cincinnati Reds on Monday agreed to a $3.02 million, one-year contract with Orlando Cabrera to become their starting shortstop.

Cabrera got a deal that pays him a $1.25 million signing bonus and $770,000 salary this year. The agreement includes a $4 million mutual option for 2011. If Cabrera declines it, he gets a $500,000 buyout. If he accepts it and the team declines, he receives a $1 million buyout.

Cincinnati traded shortstop Alex Gonzalez to Boston last August, leaving the position to Paul Janish, a solid defensive player who batted .211.

Several teams were interested in Cabrera as a second baseman, making the Reds a more attractive destination because he could play his natural position.

``A little bit,'' Cabrera said. ``But I think the challenge of the Reds is better for me.''

The 35-year-old shortstop played for Oakland and Minnesota last season, batting a combined .284 with 36 doubles, nine homers and 77 RBIs in 160 games. Cincinnati expects to bat him second, with 25-year-old Drew Stubbs in line to bat leadoff now that Taveras is gone.

``I'm going to do everything I can, even if I have to change my name to one Ocho,'' Cabrera said, referring to Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco.

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