[sportsluvngrl86]

LAS VEGAS -- There was talk, more like educated whispers, coming over the past three or four days as to how free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera might accept the White Sox offer of salary arbitration. Cabrera even mentioned the seemingly remote possibility to a reporter from WSCR 670 AM in Chicago, the team's flagship radio station.

Cabrera knew the arbitration offer had been made because he was a Type A free agent, meaning the White Sox receive two Draft picks when he signs somewhere else, and not because they wanted him back for even one year. The veteran shortstop also understood that the opportunities on the open market at his particular position were drying up and that the sagging economy also had touched Major League Baseball and might not present the lucrative multiyear deal he desired.

Cabrera declines arbitration

I'm glad about this. His me-first attitude didn't sit well with me. Ramirez will do fine at shortstop, so I'm not too worried.