He's all business
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Shortly after arriving Thursday at White Sox camp, Orlando Cabrera was hit with the obvious question.
Eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the 33-year-old shortstop was asked for his thoughts about a contract extension.
"It's kind of early,'' Cabrera said. "I have a lot of things to do this year with my new team. So I don't want to jump ahead and think about stuff like that.''
In a nutshell, that is why the Sox are so excited to have Cabrera, who came over from the Los Angeles Angels for starting pitcher Jon Garland in a Nov. 19 trade.
Cabrera is all business when it comes to baseball, and he doesn't get caught up in off-the-field issues like contract extensions.
The White Sox gave up a proven winner in Garland, but Cabrera fills three glaring needs: He's a solid hitter, a Gold Glove defender and a leader on the field.
"We need a player like him, to take charge,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "That was something we were missing last year. You are going to see a tremendous ballplayer. He will help us a lot, I guarantee it.''
Looking for an off-season upgrade at shortstop, where Juan Uribe struggled last year, the Sox initially targeted Edgar Renteria.
The Detroit Tigers swooped in and landed Renteria in a trade from the Atlanta Braves shortly after the World Series ended, and it looked like Uribe was going to keep his starting job by default.
But less than two weeks after signing Uribe to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, the White Sox discovered Cabrera was available and a deal was quickly hammered out.
Going from a first-place Angels team that was 94-68 last season to a fourth-place Sox team that was 72-90 might seem like a raw deal, but Cabrera doesn't see it that way.
"I appreciated the way they traded me to this team,'' Cabrera said. "It couldn't be better for me. I thought it was a good move for the Angels. They have a lot of kids who can play right now and they are ready.''
Cabrera is ready to do whatever it takes to help the White Sox get back to the postseason. That includes batting leadoff.
"I don't mind it,'' said Cabrera, a natural No. 2 hitter. "It could be good. Whatever will help the team win ballgames, I'll do it.''
While has been around for 10 seasons, Cabrera said he's in the midst of his prime. He showed that last season, batting .301 and scoring 101 runs, both career highs, while winning his second Gold Glove.
Guillen has been singing Cabrera's praises since the trade, and the two are enjoying this spring's reunion. In 2001, Guillen coached Cabrera with the Montreal Expos.
"I've always liked Ozzie, and I like the way he manages,'' Cabrera said. "He always expected so much from every player, especially Latino guys. I like that. He will keep me on my toes all the time.''
Cabrera, who lives in Colombia, wasn't able to attend SoxFest in late January. But he did read the glowing comments from Guillen.
"I was really pumped,'' Cabrera said. "I've never had a better compliment than that before. It gives me a lot of confidence.''