A No Surprise Signing

The very moment The Baltimore Orioles Non-Tendered Daniel Cabrera, you had to figure Our General Manager Jim Bowden was on the phone looking to sign the hard throwing, but erratic, pitcher for Our Washington Nationals. According to Bill Ladson, Washington has accomplished just that--signing him to a one-year deal.

Not a surprise, especially after Washington Non-Tendered Tim Redding. You had to figure JimBo was looking for a higher ceiling arm holding a lesser contract.

And Daniel Cabrera is the perfect reclamation project for Our Pitching Coach Randy St.Claire. A talented, but incredibly inconsistent pitcher throughout his entire Major League Career in Baltimore. Some days, Cabrera is unhittable. On other days, Daniel can't even find the plate. He is one of those guys that frustrate you, but at the same time, hard to turn away from.

There is nothing to lose by signing Cabrera to a contract for Our Washington Nationals. If St.Claire can reproduce his magic again with another lost talent--Washington has slotted a solid starter for the back of their rotation in 2009. A younger, more powerful arm than Redding, although you would have to give the nod to Tim for professionalism and leadership.

All in all, a very good, low key, no surprise signing by Our Washington Nationals.

PS--If you were wondering: Livan Hernandez, Esteban Loaiza, Hector Carrasco, Ramon Ortiz, Billy Traber, Tim Redding and Odalis Perez all were better pitchers than expected after coming over to Washington with their career's basically going down hill, at a turning point, or at the very end. Randy St.Claire affected all of them--positively--and I am not even considering all the youngsters he's dealt with over the past four years in a Washington Uniform.