Several AL clubs keeping tabs on shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera
By Jake Misener
As we near the New Year, the Hot Stove season is still in full-swing. While the attention of most remains focused on the likes of Max Scherzer and James Shields, free agent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera is reportedly drawing interest from a handful of American League clubs, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
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The Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays have all checked in on the infielder this offseason, and with varying situations, Cabrera’s role with each club would be different. He could potentially usurp Didi Gregorius in the Bronx should the young infielder struggle, but the other three clubs seem to have shortstop handled heading into the season. Cabrera, who has experience at both second base and shortstop, will likely shift to second should he land with Toronto, Tampa Bay or Kansas City.
Last season, Cabrera was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Washington Nationals mid-season, ending his tenure with the team that he broke onto the big league scene with back in 2007. During his time with the Indians, Cabrera batted .270/.331/.410 with a pair of American League All-Star selections, leading the club to a pair of postseason appearances during that span.
It is unknown whether or not the 29-year-old is looking to re-establish his value on a one-year deal or land somewhere long-term this winter, but after batting .241/.307/.387 between Washington and Cleveland, his stock is notably lower than it was several seasons back. In 2011, Cabrera appeared poised to become one of the best offensive shortstops in the game after clubbing a career-high 25 home runs and driving in 92 runs while slugging .460 and winning a Silver Slugger.
The offseason market will no doubt heat up in the weeks to come and don’t be surprised if Cabrera is one of the first names to fall. A team not mentioned by Morosi also isn’t out of the question, especially if he’s looking to solidify his reputation around the league on a short-term deal.