Cruz and Cabrera sign for '09

After Manny Ramirez the two biggest names left on the free agent market have finally agreed to contracts. Over the weekend the Kansas City Royals agreed to a deal with relief pitcher Juan Cruz on a 2 year- 6 million dollar contract. Also reportedly today the Oakland A’s have landed shortstop Orlando Cabrera with a 1 year - 4 million dollar deal. It was also reported that the A’s were close to a deal with free agent Nomar Garciaparra as well.

These are excellent moves for both teams. In Juan Cruz the Royals get a proven power arm out of the pen. Cruz, who has a 2.88 ERA and 12.6 K/9 the last two seasons should prove to be an exceptional 8th inning setup man to closer Joakim Soria. His signing also allows the Royals to use newly acquired Kyle Farnsworth in less stressful roles earlier in the ballgame, which should improve his overall performance.For Oakland, Orlando Cabrera provides a massive upgrade offensively and defensively over Bobby Crosby.

Though Cabrera doesn’t have the strongest arm, he has good range at the shortstop position as well as a very solid glove. In the lineup Cabrera is capable of leading off or hitting in the two hole, in either spot he’ll be a nice table setter for Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. If Oakland can also complete a deal with Garciaparra, they suddenly have some impressive offensive depth. That is until Eric Chavez makes his annual trip to the disabled list.

Ultimately both these signings will help to improve their respected clubs but both Kansas City and Oakland lack the starting pitching to make them playoff competitors. Of course they still have to play the games and that means anything’s possible.

-Robb Lennahan