NewsCabrera last of Twins to file for free agency
Clause in contract forbids Minnesota from offering arbitration
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
11/09/09 9:59 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins' free-agent filings are now complete. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera filed for free agency on Monday, making him the last of the Twins' five free-agent eligible players to do so. Cabrera joins pitcher Carl Pavano, third baseman Joe Crede, catcher Mike Redmond and reliever Ron Mahay as free agents. The Twins have exclusive negotiating and signing rights with the five players until Nov. 20. For Cabrera, it's the second time in as many years that he enters the free-agent market. Last winter, the shortstop had difficulty finding a deal due to the fact that he was a Type A free agent and clubs faced giving up a top Draft choice as compensation to sign him. Cabrera didn't wind up with a team until March, and it's one of the reasons that he had a clause written into his one-year contract with Oakland. The clause stated that the team could not offer arbitration to Cabrera if he reached Type A status in 2009. Cabrera, 35, earned Type A status once again after another strong year in 2009. He batted .284 with 36 doubles and 77 RBIs in a combined 160 games with the A's and the Twins. After being acquired by Minnesota on the July 31 Trade Deadline, Cabrera played a key role in helping the club to yet another AL Central division title. The Twins credited him for bringing a winning attitude to the team, as Cabrera earned a spot in the postseason for the fifth time in the last six years -- with four different teams. But while the Twins liked Cabrera, the club won't be bringing him back after trading for former All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Brewers last week. Twins general manager Bill Smith personally called Cabrera to inform him of the move. And due to the clause in Cabrera's contract, the Twins will be unable to offer arbitration to the Type A free agent and therefore will not receive any Draft picks as compensation for him. The Twins will still have a chance to receive compensation for one of their free agents: Pavano qualified as a Type B free agent. If the Twins offer the pitcher arbitration and he declines, subsequently signing with another team, Minnesota would receive a sandwich pick in the First-Year Player Draft in June 2010.Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
