The New York Mets agreed to terms with free-agent Asdrubal Cabrera, Wednesday. The infielder is guaranteed to receive $18.5 million over two years.
Cabrera hit .265/.315/.340 with 15 home runs and 28 doubles in 143 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015. He mainly plays shortstop over his nine-year career, and plays second base at times, most recently after being acquired by the Washington Nationals in 2014.
Cabrera made $7.5 million with the Tampa Bay Rays and was ranked as the 26th best free agent on the market in October Grant Brisbee, as reported by the SB Nation.
The New York Mets were busy on Wednesday, a day after they missed free agent Ben Zobrist, who they want to acquire for second base but was signed by the Chicago Cubs. As a response, the New York Mets traded second baseman Neil Walker from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, and now acquiring Cabrera.
According to USA Today, Cabrera would be the second middle infielder acquired by the New York Mets at the winter meetings after getting Neil Walker for Jon-Niese. Although the deal will not be completed until he passes a physical. The deal also includes an option for 2018.
"We're trying to build a team with a lot of flexibility, versatility and depth. That's what we're doing," New York Mets assistant general manager John Ricco said Thursday.
Cabrera and Walker give the NL champion New York Mets the options they need for the infield. The team already has Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada, both can stint David Wright at third base. The latter missed a lot of time last year due to spinal stenosis and they still do not know how many days in a row he will be allowed to play in the future.
"We think we have some good players. But whether it be through giving them more rest or finding ways to get them at-bats in situations where they'll thrive, that's the goal," Ricco said. "And trying to find pieces that allow us to do that is what we've been focused on."
