Orlando Cabrera NOT Retiring After Season

[Elite]

Orlando Cabrera told the Colombian paper El Universal that he would like to reach 2000 hits (he needs 52) and 500 doubles (he needs 57) before he retires (link in Spanish, translated by MLBTR's Nick Collias). But Cabrera says he'll be ready to retire after the season, since he wants to leave the game on his own terms.

"This is my last season," Cabrera said. "Something I’ve seen in professional ball since I signed, and something that has made an impression on me, is when a manager calls a player to his office to release him. That, for me, is the saddest thing I’ve seen outside of the death of a beloved family member. It’s something indescribable, although it’s normal in this job. I’ve always said my retirement would be under my own terms, and this is a great opportunity for me. I’m leaving without them telling me, ‘We don’t want to see you anymore around here.’"

Cabrera, 36, signed a one-year, $1MM deal with the Indians this month. The Cartagena, Colombia native posted a .263/.303/.354 line in 537 appearances for the NL Central Champion Reds last year and says he drew interest from 10-12 teams this offseason.

After the 2011 season, Jose Reyes will lead a class of free agent shortstops that includes J.J. Hardy and Jimmy Rollins and potentially Rafael Furcal and Marco Scutaro.

MBLTR

Always liked O-Cab, except for the season he spent with the Sawx of course. He's had a pretty nice career, certainly not a HOF guy, not even close, but he was no scrub.

 

[elcheato]

He just said recently that his comments were mis-understood and he's not retiring at the end of the year.

 

[Elite]

2:45pm: Cabrera says he's not retiring after 2011 and that his comments were misunderstood, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (Twitter links). The infielder hopes to play for many more years, according to Bastian. Cabrera says shifting to second base could prolong his career by two or three years, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer (on Twitter).

MLBTR

Dumb ass reporters

 

[cruzg24]

The other colombian SS in the league, loved how he played a good player. I hope this isnt true and that he isnt retiring.