The Orioles finally finalized their $2.4 million deal with speedy infielder Everth Cabrera and he's heading to camp, sources say.Baltimore and Cabrera were close to a deal late last week but a couple small details were holding up the deal, which was finally completed Monday. Cabrera's new contract includes $600K in performance bonuses. It isn't known exactly what held up the deal, but the Orioles are known to be thorough with their medical examinations; ultimately he received the same deal, so there appears to have been nothing serious found. 
The Orioles' signing of Cabrera is somewhat surprising in that they have a starting shortstop, J.J. Hardy, but they see Cabrera as a useful utility man who should get decent playing time, as seen by a contract about the same as last year's when he was the Padres' starting shortstop. Cabrera had a rough year in 2014, when his batting averaged slipped to .232. In 2013 he hit .283, had 37 stolen bases and made the All-Star team for San Diego, but his OPS dropped from .736 to .572 in one difficult year, on and off the field.Baltimore may see a decent chance for Cabrera to get playing time as it has youngster Jonathan Schoop at second base, and Ryan Flaherty as the main infield backup. They also recently signed veteran Jayson Nix to a $750,000 deal to compete for a utility spot.The Orioles lost a lot of offense over the winter, with Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis leaving as free agents, but they hope to make up for that with a healthy Manny Machado and Matt Wieters and a return to form by Chris Davis. Maybe a bit more speed will prove useful as well. Cabrera led the NL in stolen bases with 44 in 2012, when his career appeared to be on the upswing.The Baltimore Sun first reported the sides were close to a deal last week.Jon Heyman/CBS Sports
The Orioles' signing of Cabrera is somewhat surprising in that they have a starting shortstop, J.J. Hardy, but they see Cabrera as a useful utility man who should get decent playing time, as seen by a contract about the same as last year's when he was the Padres' starting shortstop. Cabrera had a rough year in 2014, when his batting averaged slipped to .232. In 2013 he hit .283, had 37 stolen bases and made the All-Star team for San Diego, but his OPS dropped from .736 to .572 in one difficult year, on and off the field.Baltimore may see a decent chance for Cabrera to get playing time as it has youngster Jonathan Schoop at second base, and Ryan Flaherty as the main infield backup. They also recently signed veteran Jayson Nix to a $750,000 deal to compete for a utility spot.The Orioles lost a lot of offense over the winter, with Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis leaving as free agents, but they hope to make up for that with a healthy Manny Machado and Matt Wieters and a return to form by Chris Davis. Maybe a bit more speed will prove useful as well. Cabrera led the NL in stolen bases with 44 in 2012, when his career appeared to be on the upswing.The Baltimore Sun first reported the sides were close to a deal last week.Jon Heyman/CBS Sports
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