30 A's in 30 Days – Orlando Cabrera

Acquired: Signed as free agent (March 2, 2009).
Contract: One year thru 2009 ($4M).
Position: Starting Shortstop

Projected BA/OBP/SLG: (.274/.332/.373)

Over/Under: Offensively, Cabrera's skill set seems more suited to the National League, where 180+ hits/season – absent any discernable power or on-base percentage – has more value within the 19th century small ball approach favored in the senior circuit. Baseball-Reference.com lists Mark Loretta as one of Cabrera's top three comps. Loretta spent his age-34 season in Boston (in a much more favorable hitter's park) and recorded an OPS 20% worse than the AL average. Take the UNDER.

By the Numbers: 18 – Cabrera's preferred jersey number the past few seasons. If he ends up wearing it in Oakland, I hope the team's clubhouse attendants can exorcise the ghastly apparition of the flaccid batter to last wear it.

Surefire '09 Prediction: In Cabrera's career, April has been his second worst month for offensive production (.709 OPS). Erstwhile A's SS/DL Bobby Crosby (career OPS: .686) inexplicably had TONS of apologists amongst A's fans and several media cheerleaders. If Cabrera is slow out of the gate, look for the Crosby camp to call for Cabrera's scalp all while lost in the irony of it all.