Cleveland Indians: Asdrubal Cabrera Signs, Avoiding Arbitration

Asdrubal Cabrera and the Cleveland Indians have agreed to a one-year contract worth $4.55 million avoiding arbitration hearings.

Unable to agree on a long-term deal, Cabrera and the Indians inked the one-year deal on Friday, recognizing his talent and contributions.

During spring training, Cleveland and Cabrera may revisit the possibility of a multi-year contract, and they have expressed an interest in keeping Cabrera beyond 2012. 

Cabrera improved a great deal in 2011 hitting 25 home runs and 92 RBI with a .273 batting average in 151 games.

While it may be too early to indicate whether or not he will reach numbers like those consistently, it cannot be denied that he had a great 2011 season.

He was selected as a 2011 All-Star for the first time in his career, won the Gibby's Defensive Player of the Year Award and received an AL Silver Slugger Award.

Adding to his list of accomplishments was his unassisted triple play on May 12, 2008.

2011 was certainly a breakout year for Cabrera. Over the course of his five seasons in MLB, he has collected 567 hits, 119 doubles, 10 triples, 43 home runs and 258 RBI with a .281 batting average in 2019 at-bats.

He slugged .460 in 2011, which was his best season overall.

Cabrera will continue to improve, and at the end of the 2012 season, I would expect to hear that he and the Indians have finally reached a multi-year contract that will benefit them both.

2012 looks as though it will be another solid year from Cabrera.