Nationals, Cabrera agree to 1-year deal

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By Ben Goessling

The Washington Nationals on Saturday agreed to a one-year contract with former Baltimore Orioles right-hander Daniel Cabrera, pending a physical, according to a team source.

The 6-foot-7 pitcher was 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA for Baltimore last season. He has thrown at least 145 innings each of the last five seasons and occasionally showed dominant stuff. But after going 12-8 as a rookie in 2004, he has yet to reach a higher level.

The 27-year-old struck out just 95 batters last season, walking 90, hitting 18 batters and throwing 15 wild pitches. He ended the year on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow. The Orioles chose not to tender Cabrera, who was arbitration-eligible, a contract for 2009.

Neither Nationals general manager Jim Bowden nor Cabrera's agent, Mike Powers, could be reached for comment. A team spokesman would neither confirm nor deny whether the Nationals had signed Cabrera, saying Washington "has nothing to announce at this time."

Cabrera is the second starter the Nationals have acquired this offseason following a November trade with Florida for left-hander Scott Olsen. As with Olsen, Cabrera's velocity dropped at the end of the season. But with the Nationals non-tendering the arbitration-eligible Tim Redding and opting to go with younger arms, Cabrera at least gives them an option who has a major league track record.