The Tampa Bay Rays signed shortstop/second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year contract back on Dec. 30 and it was finalized on Friday. Just south in Miami, Dan Haren of the Marlins is garnering interest from the Colorado Rockies.
Cabrera will make $7.5 million with the Rays in 2015, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The financial details of the contract were officially disclosed today after it was speculated the deal was around $8 million. Interestingly enough, Cabrera will earn the same amount as Rays' second baseman Ben Zobrist next season, which will increase trade speculation.
Once the Rays signed Cabrera, rumors surfaced about the team moving Zobrist because ownership was looking to reduce payroll. Tampa Bay picked up Zobrist's $7.5 million team option for 2015 earlier in the offseason likely because they knew he would provide a good return in a trade. The 33-year-old has spent his entire career with the Rays and is the longest tenured member of the team. It was reported that four clubs - Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs - were in pursuit of Zobrist. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted on Thursday that the Nats deem Tampa Bay's asking price too high for the switch-hitter.
The fact that Cabrera will earn $7.5 million next season is only another indication Zobrist will be dealt before spring training. After spending his first eight seasons with the Cleveland Indians, Cabrera was dealt to the Nationals at the trade deadline and became a free agent when the year ended. He owns a career stat line of .268/.330/.409 with 87 home runs and 451 RBIs to go along with a .974 fielding percentage.
In South Beach, the Miami Marlins are working on trading starting pitcher Dan Haren, who notified the club he would not join them for 2015 and wants to play on the West Coast. Such a wish may not be granted because there isn't interest coming from the Angels, Giants, Athletics and Padres, but Haren may have a suitor closer to his home in Southern California.
The Colorado Rockies have "mild interest" in trading for the right-hander, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi. Colorado had the worst ERA (4.84) in the league last season and Coors Field isn't the best place for fly-ball pitchers, which Haren happens to be. Unfortunately for Haren, this might be his best option to get closer to home because the only West Coast team that might need him is the Giants, and they currently have "no active dialogue" with the Marlins. San Francisco inquired about him earlier in the offseason, but then signed Jake Peavy to a two-year contract.
If Haren doesn't get his wish, he may opt to retire.
