Report: Mets Agree To Terms With Infielder Cabrera On 2-Year Deal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Mets now have nice depth in their infield.
Hours after trading for second baseman Neil Walker on Wednesday, the Amazin's agreed to a two-year, $18.5 million contract with veteran shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, CBSSports.com and WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reported.
The 30-year-old switch-hitter is viewed as an offensive upgrade over Wilmer Flores as he hit .265 with 15 home runs and 58 RBI last season for the Tampa Bay Rays. Over his nine-year career, Cabrera is .267 hitter with a .329 on-base percentage and a .740 OPS.
Cabrera's best season came with the Cleveland Indians back in 2011 when he was an All-Star and finished with a career-high 25 homers and 92 RBI.
The Mets likely pursued Cabrera due to his versatility. In addition to shortstop, he can play second and could be an insurance policy at third for David Wright, who was diagnosed with spinal stenosis early in 2015 and ended up playing in just 38 regular season games.
The Walker trade came a day after the Mets failed in their quest to sign veteran Ben Zobrist, who was coveted to fill the glaring hole at second left by the impending departure of free agent Daniel Murphy.
Walker should match Murphy's offensive production as he averaged 15 home runs and 70 RBI over six-plus seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
