Cabrera happy to be here

While the attention is focused on Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, the shortstop acquired in that trade deadline '04 deal, was pleased to be back at Fenway for the Oakland A's.

"It's always great to come back here. Lots of great memories. This is where I got to win a championship. I'll never forget it. The people have so much passion for baseball here. You feel it here more than any other place," he said.

Cabrera was the subject of trade rumors coming back to Boston earlier this season.

"I heard them and that would have been great," said Cabrera, "but I'm very happy to be with the A's."

People always wondered why Cabrera didn't return to the team after '04. A lot of different answers have been given, but Cabrera said, "They offered me a short-term deal but it was my free agent year and I wanted to see what was out there and I made my decision and I don't regret it." Cabrera signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Angels, who traded him to the White Sox before the 2008 season.

Cabrera got off to a slow start but has hit at a .369 clip in his last 16 games. He was signed late in spring training, which could have something to do with the slow start. Cabrera has made 12 errors, tied for the most among MLB shortstops.