Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times couldn’t get much commenting out of Kenny Williams or Orlando Cabrera regarding the state of contract extension talks. The Sox do want to sign their shortstop, who can become a free agent after the season. Cabrera doesn’t mind letting talks carry into the season.
I imagine Cabrera wants something in the neighborhood of three years and $24MM. PECOTA would give a little more than half that amount; Cabrera is already 33.
Next year’s free agent market has perhaps three viable shortstop options aside from Cabrera: David Eckstein, Adam Everett, and Rafael Furcal. Cristian Guzman could become one with a nice year. Furcal is obviously the cream of the crop; it might make sense for the Cubs to renew their interest.
