Colorado Rockies: Second Base Options for the 2019 Seasons

2 of 5

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 23: Asdrubal Cabrera #13 of the Philadelphia Phillies in position during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 23, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Asdrúbal Cabrera

Last year Asdrúbal Cabrera spent time with both the Phillies and the Mets, ending 2018 with a respectable 112 OPS+ and 23 home runs in 592 plate appearances. His defense was less impressive, and his -5.4 UZR at second base was the worst of his career. Though this isn’t great it’s also not terrible, and Cabrera is certainly good enough to be an everyday starter for at least the next few seasons.

Cabrera’s biggest weak spot last year was his inability to be effective against left-handed pitching. He’s a switch hitter, but lefties still had a huge platoon advantage against him and he slashed .250/.287/.359 against them compared to .267/.327/.429 against righties. Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado both excel against southpaws, so hopefully they’d be able to make up for Cabrera on days where the Rockies face left-handed starters.

Although Cabrera would certainly best fit the Rockies as a second baseman he’d also bring with him the ability to play other positions, something that’s not offered by most of this year’s free-agent second baseman. Last year Cabrera looked decent in limited time at shortstop, with a 1.4 UZR in just over 200 innings played; he’s also had success at third, but if the Rockies are put in a position where Cabrera has to put time in there they’d have bigger things to worry about than Asdrubal’s glove.

Home/Colorado Rockies