A's sign Garciaparra, Cabrera

OAKLAND, Calif., March 6 (UPI) -- The Oakland Athletics signed free agent infielders Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra to one-year contracts on Friday.

Their signings give the American League West Division team four players at least 34 years old heading into the 2009 season. Garciaparra (35) and Cabrera (34) will join first baseman/DH Jason Giambi (37) and pitcher Russ Springer (40).

In 2008, Garciaparra played 55 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers, mostly at shortstop, hitting .264 with eight homers and 28 runs batted in. He was the National League comeback player of the year in 2006 when he batted .303 in 122 games with 20 home runs and 93 RBI.

Also, he is a six-time All-Star, was the AL rookie of the year in 1997 while with Boston and is a career .314 hitter with 226 homers and 920 RBI.

Cabrera batted .281 with eight home runs and 57 RBI last season for the Chicago White Sox last season and has a career .274 batting average with 105 home runs and 684 RBI.