Watch CBS News

Kallet: Once An Afterthought, Mets' Cabrera Quietly Getting Job Done

By Brad Kallet
» More Columns

After a rough 2-5 start to the season, the Mets appear to be back on track, racking up nine wins in their last 11 games.

Most of the focus this young season, and understandably so, has been on New York's remarkable starting rotation. Plenty of talk has also centered on Yoenis Cespedes' power, David Wright's playing time and future, Neil Walker as Daniel Murphy's replacement, the emergence of No. 3 hitter Michael Conforto, and whether or not the bullpen is steady enough to protect leads.

Nobody is really talking about Asdrubal Cabrera, but they should be.

MORE: Kallet: Conforto Paying Dividends For Mets In The 3 Hole

The signing of Cabrera this past offseason came somewhat under the radar. At the time, Mets fans the world over were yearning for the return of Cespedes, so the acquisition went largely unnoticed. Many seemed indifferent, and even bothered by the fact that general manager Sandy Alderson was wasting seemingly limited dollars on a past-his-prime shortstop who appeared to be just a slight upgrade -- if an upgrade at all -- over Wilmer Flores.

Eighteen games into Cabrera's maiden season as a Met, it's clear that the 30-year-old isn't a slight upgrade over Flores; he's a significant one.

Cabrera, who signed a two-year, $18.5 million contract in December, has been more than just a pleasant surprise; he's been a key cog offensively and a sure-handed glove at shortstop. The veteran, who tends to hit seventh in the lineup ahead of Travis d'Arnaud, is second on the club with a .318 average, 21 hits and a .375 on-base percentage.

While he won't take home a Gold Glove Award any time soon, the switch-hitter has looked smooth up the middle. He has made just one error in 70-plus chances. He doesn't light up the highlight reel, but he makes all the plays and has formed a nice tandem with Walker. When there's a force and the ball is hit hard, there is confidence that Walker and Cabrera will turn the 6-4-3 (or 4-6-3) double play with ease.

The same couldn't be said for Flores and Murphy, who made every flip and turn an adventure.

It's easy to forget that Cabrera was a two-time All-Star in Cleveland fairly recently, in 2011 and 2012. Over the course of those two seasons he hit 41 homers, drove in 160 runs, hit .272 and stole 26 bases. Since being traded in 2014 he's been a bit of a baseball nomad. He's on his third team in three years -- after quick stops in Washington and St. Petersburg -- but still in his prime, so maybe he's found comfort, and a home at the bottom of the Mets' order. No one is expecting him to hit 25 home runs like he did with the Indians, but it's obvious that he's still a talented player who has a lot of baseball left.

Cabrera gives manager Terry Collins flexibility. His presence allows Flores to come off the bench to spell Wright when the captain needs a day off, and Lucas Duda against tough lefties. Cabrera is also a proven, reliable bat that lengthens the Mets' lineup and makes it dangerous from top to bottom.

It has also been interesting to witness Cabrera's demeanor in the dugout. This clubhouse is clearly filled with men who enjoy each other's company. The chemistry, by all accounts, is as strong as ever, and the Venezuelan appears to fit right in with the close-knit group.

Check out the next time a Met goes yard. It has become customary for Cabrera to grab the helmet off a teammate's head after he rounds the bases. Subtle? Yes. But it's the kind of gesture that endears a player to a new organization, and the fact that Cabrera celebrates other home runs as if he just hit his own -- especially considering he only has one in 66 at-bats -- is a sign of selflessness and a team-first mentality.

As for the overall state of the Mets, they're absolutely rolling. Monday's 5-3 win over the Reds was their fourth straight and seventh in eight. Over the past week they've beaten the teams that they're supposed to beat with conviction. The starting pitching has been excellent -- and that's with a sluggish Matt Harvey still working out the kinks, the defense has been rock-solid and the bats have come alive in a big way. What's gotten into Walker, who is currently tied for second in the National League with eight home runs? He's making a lot of people forget about the fact that Murphy is hitting a ridiculous .397 in our nation's capital.

With a victory on either Tuesday or Wednesday, the reigning NL champions will clinch their fourth series victory in a row. They currently sit three games behind the first-place Nationals in the East.

After the series against Cincinnati concludes, the suddenly struggling Giants will come to Queens for a weekend set. The Mets will then host the dreadful Braves for three before hitting the road for an 11-game West Coast road trip.

Brad Kallet is the managing editor of TENNIS.com and a frequent contributor to WFAN.com. You can follow him on Twitter @brad_kallet

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.