The Mets have signed former Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to be the everyday shortstop next season with a two-year, $18.5 million deal with an option for a third year.
Cabrera, 30, is a two-time all-star and enjoyed a career best season with the Indians in 2011, hitting 25 homers and driving in 92 runs while hitting .273 with a .332 on-base percentage. Last season wasn’t bad either, as Cabrera hit .265 with a .315 OBP to go along with 15 homers and 58 RBI for the Rays.
What does this mean to the rest of the Mets’ roster? I think Ruben Tejada may end up in Triple-A, especially if Wilmer Flores is the jack-of-all-trades backup. The Mets could opt to keep them both, or Flores could be used in a trade, despite whether or not he gets emotional. I think using him as bait for a valuable reliever might not be a bad plan in a barren shortstop market.
Here’s my anticipated lineup after the move, which should become official shortly.
1) RF Granderson
2) 2B Walker
3) 3B Wright
4) 1B Duda
5) C D’Arnaud
6) LF Conforto
7) SS Cabrera
8) CF Lagares
As for the move, it’s a solid depth move, and it allows the Mets to move Flores or use him at third base to spell David Wright. As we’ve learned, you can never have too much depth.
Now, the Mets need to get a speedy left-handed hitting center fielder. Does anyone have Denard Span’s number handy?
What do you think of this signing? Tell us in the comments section below.
