Two underappreciated Gold Glove middle infielders named Orlando signed with new teams this past week, Cabrera with Cincinnati and Hudson with Minnesota. They are the kind of signings (Cabrera, 1 year, $3.02 million; Hudson, 1 year, $5 million) that can fit into the middle-market plans of teams like the Reds and the Twins, and give exceptional value.
I think these are two of the best signings of the off-season, filling needs for both teams.
I’ve been a Cabrera fan for a few years; I know he’s been on seven teams since 2004, but I don’t think that it’s a coincidence that four of the previous six have made the playoffs (every year except 2006) with him as starting shortstop. Cabrera’s stats don’t look so gaudy, with just a career OPS+ of 86, and some of his defensive numbers from last year seem to show that he’s slowed a step at short at age 35, but I think he solidifies the Reds defense, gives them a veteran presence with a knack for clutch hits. And at $3 million, I really like the deal for the Reds. It looks like the Twins will instead go with former Brewer J.J. Hardy at short, who I like, but I think Cabrera would have been a better choice for one more year.
Hudson, 32, has been known as a top fielding second baseman for the past few years, but he’s now on his fourth team since ‘05. But he’s won Gold Gloves with each of them, and represents a nice upgrade for the Twins over Nick Punto, who looks like he’ll move to third base, though his best role may be in utility across the infield. Last off-season, some were advocating that the Yankees dump Robinson Cano in favor of “O-Dog,” a sentiment that I did not agree with, but he should be a great fit for the Twins, especially between budding star Denard Span and reigning MVP Joe Mauer in the lineup. With a new ballpark and a payroll at more than $90 million for 2010, Minnesota is starting to shed its “little engine that could” feel and looking more like the clear favorite in the AL Central.