Veteran infielder says Colombian newspaper misunderstood comment on radio interview. Watch video
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- For a moment it looked like Orlando Cabrera would be gone before he really arrived as an Indian.
After signing a one-year, $1 million deal with the Tribe last week, a report in the Colombian newspaper El Universal said that Cabrera, 36, was going to retire at the end of this season.
Cabrera denied the report after Tuesday's practice. He said he did a radio interview on a sports talk station in Colombia and his quotes were used by the newspaper.
"What I said was misunderstood," he said. "What I was trying to say is that I'm pretty much the only guy from my city [Cartagena, Colombia] still playing in the big leagues. And with my signing so late the last couple of years, people always get anxious for me to play.
"I said one of these years I'm not going to play anymore. I've seen guys when they get old and they beg for jobs. I want to go out on my own terms."
Cabrera said that may have been construed as saying he was going to retire after this season. But he said he wants to play next year.
"Especially if we win the World Series," he said with a smile. "Then I've got to come back."
Cabrera is making the move to second base after spending most of his career at shortstop. He feels the move could add "two to three years" to his year. Manager Manny Acta said Cabrera will be able to play second base with his eyes closed. After hitting him grounders Tuesday, Acta was more convinced than ever.
"Orlando is not going to have an issue at second base," said Acta. "Everything he did was easy and effortless. He's so fundamentally sound that I don't think he'll be affected by the move at all."
Acta did add that no final decision has been made at second. "We're not handing anything out yet," said Acta. "Jayson Nix is competing and he's very good at second base."
The big sleep: In going over the candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation, Acta said Anthony Reyes "could be an interesting sleeper in this camp. When he was healthy, he pitched some big games for St. Louis."
Reyes didn't pitch last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He did participate in the Arizona Instructional League and impressed the Indians enough that they re-signed him.
"Anthony is in the same position Jake Westbrook was in last spring," said Acta. "The gloves are off. ... He's going to get a legit chance."
Catcher's corner: Acta said the backup catcher's job won't be decided until late in camp. The Indians must decide if Lou Marson is better served backing up Carlos Santana or going to Class AAA Columbus and playing every day.
Paul Phillips, Luke Carlin, Juan Apodaca and Marson are competing for the job. The Indians believe Marson, 24, has the talent to be an everyday catcher, but he hit .195 (51-for-262) last year in the big leagues.
"Lou is a lot better than what we saw last year," said Acta.
Not so fast: Last year Acta emphasized a fast start. The Indians won two of their first three games, but went 9-13 in April. This year he's talking about consistency and the long season.
"We accomplished a good start last year," said Acta. "We were 2-1. I know it's a big topic, a big subject around here ... the quick start.
"Well, how long is a quick start -- 2-1 is a quick start. The main goal here is winning the division. I really hope we don't go 25-1 in the first month and then go 1-25 in September and not make the playoffs. I just want to see consistency in the win column and the way we play the game."
In the last eight years, the Indians have had winning records twice at the end of April.
No throw zone: Outfielder Trevor Crowe, coming off surgery on his right elbow, won't play in Thursday and Friday's intrasquad game because he can't throw at full strength.
Thursday's intrasquad game will be played at Goodyear Ballpark. Friday's will be played at the complex.
One swing at a time: Shin-Soo Choo saw a new set of golf clubs at Lonnie Chisenhall's locker. He picked up an iron and swung it.
"No, I don't play," said Choo. "I have to fix my real swing first."
Finally: Grady Sizemore took batting practice, ran sprints and did agility drills Tuesday. "I was pleased," said head trainer Lonnie Soloff. "More importantly, so was he." ... Hard-throwing Bryce Stowell drew a crowd of Indians coaches and executives behind the batting cage as he threw BP Tuesday.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/02/manny_acta_talking_consistency.html
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