Cabrera, 27, was seeking $3.1 million after making $340,000 in 2001.

The Expos also announced Wednesday that injury-plagued pitcher Carl Pavano agreed to a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

Terms of his deal were undisclosed, but Pavano submitted an arbitration figure of $1.425 million, while the team filed at $1.2 million.

Voted by teammates as the Expos' player of the year ahead of star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, Cabrera played in all 162 games and hit .276 with 14 homers.

A native of Colombia, Cabrera led all National League shortstops last year in fielding percentage (.986), starts (160), assists (514), total chances (771) and putouts (246).