Tigers agree with 3B Cabrera

Jan 18, 2008 - 7:58 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Tigers agreed to terms with Miguel Cabrera on a one-year contract Friday, avoiding salary arbitration with the slugging third baseman.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Detroit News reported on its web site that the deal is worth $11.3 million.

Cabrera, 24, can become a free agent after the 2009 season, although the Tigers are attempting to sign him to a long-term deal.

A native of Venezuela, Cabrera was acquired along with star lefthander Dontrelle Willis in a trade last month which sent a package of six minor-league prospects to the Florida Marlins.

Cabrera batted .320 with 34 home runs and 119 RBI with the Marlins last season, his fifth with the team. The four-time All-Star will join a potent Tigers lineup which already includes Magglio Ordonez, Gary Sheffield, Curtis Granderson, Ivan Rodriguez, Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen and Edgar Renteria.

The Tigers also avoided arbitration with Bobby Seay, signing the lefthander to a one-year deal at undisclosed financial terms.

Seay, 29, went 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA for the Tigers last season.