The Cincinnati Reds vowed to make more moves this offseason, and they did so by signing shortstop Orlando Cabrera to a one year deal. Cabrera is scheduled to make $3 million this coming season in addition to a mutual option for 2011.

Cabrera is coming off a fine season with the A’s and the Twins in which he hit .284 with nine homers and 77 RBIs. He really was the spark plug that the Twins needed to catch the Tigers in the AL Central. I know Jason is not going to be happy with this one.

The 35 year-old Cabrera likely made the decision to go the Reds because they are offering him the shortstop spot, whereas the other teams that were looking to sign him were aiming for him to play second or third base.

Grade for Reds: B; This is definitely the best shortstop that the Reds could have got this offseason, even if it probably won’t matter much. It’s good to see they can pull in a guy that still has something to offer, and since it’s only a one-year deal, he should be playing pretty hard. Cabrera can bring energy and life to a team, which the Reds SORELY need.

The Colorado Rockies have a new third baseman, and I like this move a lot, in signing Melvin Mora. Last season, Mora only played in 124 games and hit .260 with eight homeruns and 48 RBIs. It was definitely an off-season for Mora, who played injured most of the year.

The thing that is pretty interesting about this signing is that he may not even play third base. The team has invited many older players to Spring Training (Paul Lo Duca, Jay Payton) and Eric Young Jr. may play third base. That could leave Mora to play shortstop if they decide to move Troy Tulowitzki to center field (don’t ask me why they are considering this).

Grade for Rockies: B; Nevertheless, the Rockies got a solid player in Mora. Hopefully his back will not give out this season and he can produce Coors Field type numbers.

-Chris