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Cabrera

Kendry Morales may be in the fold, but the Angels have still been very quiet so far. Perhaps they’re working on a few surprises. They’ll definitely sign a starting pitcher, and an upgrade either in center field or at shortstop is likely. Also, they still could pursue Jason Varitek if they’re not already.

The Red Sox are sitting back and waiting to see how the shortstop market plays out. Ideally, they’d like to have Cabrera or Edgar Renteria on a one- or a two-year contract. Both could be longshots, but the Red Sox are in no hurry to settle for a lesser player.

After that, he’ll move to No. 5. Jose Vidro will man the No. 2 slot this season. Cabrera will be one of the NL’s top offensive middle infielders, but his stolen base totals figure to take a dive with his new spot in the batting order.

Cabrera is batting .151 (8-for-53) since he homered in his first at-bat with the team. But since Cabrera played in his 284th consecutive game, manager Terry Francona plans to continue playing Cabrera. Francona cited Cal Ripken’s consecutive-game record as “the single most fantastic streak in baseball.” Hopefully if you own Cabrera, the continued playing time helps him break out of his recent funk.

“I’m not afraid to say that,” Cabrera said. “I always wanted to play for one team and if I have the opportunity, I will.” Cabrera and Jose Vidro are both eligible for free agency after the season, and there’s little chance that both will remain Expos in 2005. Cabrera is more likely to stay, making Vidro the better bet to be traded in July.

He also singled, but he was later picked off second base. Even though he’s 8-for-37, Cabrera has seven RBI and seven runs scored in eight games as the Angels’ No. 2 hitter. He’s not helping the team very much, but he has a fair amount of value in mixed leagues while batting high in the order.

''Of course, when you’re more involved in the lineup you feel more like you’re part of the team,’' Cabrera said. ''I think that’s what’s happening now. I’m hitting in the first inning every day, and that gets you going. Hitting eighth, you’d get your first at-bat in the third inning, and sometimes you’d only get three at-bats a night.’'

Jesse Crain pitched scoreless ninth and 10th innings for the Twins, but he took the loss in the 11th. Chone Figgins started the inning with a single and then raced to third after an errant pickoff throw got by first baseman Justin Morneau. Cabrera immediately singled him home for his 32nd RBI in 49 games. His other two hits tonight were doubles.

It was Cabrera’s second single of the contest. He’s had mulitiple hits in seven of the Angels’ last nine games, raising his average from .284 to .311.

Cabrera entered the game in a 10-for-52 (with just one walk) slump, dropping his average from .311 to .293.