--RHP Daniel Cabrera signed a one-year, $2.6 million contract with the Nationals, becoming the likely replacement for RHP Tim Redding in Washington's rotation. Cabrera, who is 6-foot-7, was not offered arbitration by the Orioles, and he now will try to resurrect his career in Washington. Cabrera struggled last season with a sprained right elbow, going 8-10 with a 5.25 ERA and hitting 18 batters to go with 15 wild pitches and 90 walks in 145 innings.
--OF Corey Patterson signed a minor league deal with the Nationals, giving them a possible leadoff hitter and steady center fielder in case they want to move Lastings Milledge to a corner spot and their other options don't pan out. Patterson has hit 98 homers and stolen 177 bases over the past seven seasons. --LHP Gustavo Chacin signed a minor league contract with Washington. The former Blue Jays pitcher went 13-5 for Toronto in 2004, but he injured his left shoulder in 2007 and pitched for the Blue Jays' Class A affiliate in Dunedin, Fla., last season.
--RHP Jorge Sosa signed a minor league contract with the Nationals, adding an experienced arm to a bullpen in a state of flux. Sosa struggled with the Mets last season, posting a 7.06 ERA in 20 appearances, but started 47 games for the Braves and Mets from 2005-07.
--INF Jose Castillo signed a minor league deal with Washington, providing some depth up the middle in case the team's cast of young second basemen don't pan out. Castillo hit .246 with six homers and 37 RBIs in 127 games between San Francisco and Houston last season.
BY THE NUMBERS: 25 -- Games that RHP Daniel Cabrera and LHP Gustavo Chacin won between them in 2004. The Nationals recently signed both pitchers, who have been prevented from matching their success of '04 due in part to injuries.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We really felt we were one of the final three teams. We certainly knew our offer was competitive with everybody. The question was whether geography and family was going to be enough to convince him to come to Washington. At the end of the day, it wasn't. We wish him the best, and we'll continue to enjoy his career, except when he plays against us." -- GM Jim Bowden, on how realistic he felt the Nationals' chances were of landing free agent 1B Mark Teixeira.
