Mets Pick Up Options For Cabrera, Blevins
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Asdrubal Cabrera is getting his wish: The Mets are picking up his option.
The team announced Friday afternoon it is exercising the $8.5 million option next season for the infielder, who turns 32 this month. WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman first reported on the move.
The Mets also announced they have, as expected, picked up the $7 million option for reliever Jerry Blevins.
"Asdrubal can help us all around the infield," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said in a statement, MLB.com reported. "The season didn't end the way we wanted, but that didn't stop him from playing hard right to the very last out of the season. Asdrubal is a great tutor to our younger players and a leader in the clubhouse. We're happy to have him back."
In June, Cabrera, apparently frustrated that the Mets would not commit to bring him back, told reporters he had requested a trade. He, however, walked his comments back several days later.
The Mets signed Cabrera in December 2015 to a two-year contract with the team option.
This past season, Cabrera was one of the Mets' steadiest hitters, batting .280 with 14 homers and 59 RBIs. Injuries and the emergence of rookie shortstop Amed Rosario forced the Mets to move Cabrera from shortstop to second base and finally over to third base.
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In 2016, Cabrera also hit .280, with 23 homers and 62 RBIs.
Cabrera figures to start at either third base or second base in 2018.
"This is where I wanted to be," Cabrera said in a statement. "I experienced the postseason with the Mets in 2016, and that's where I want to get back to this year. I'm open to playing anywhere. I just want to help."
If the Mets had not picked up Cabrera's option, they would have owed him a $2 million buyout.
Blevins, 34, made a team-high 75 appearances this past season and had a 6-0 record and 2.94 ERA. In 49 innings pitched, he struck out 69 batters and walked 24.
"I can't state how excited I am to continue my career as a member of the Mets," Blevins said in a statement. "This organization has shown it wants nothing more than to win a World Series and has made strides every step of the way to achieve that goal. I'm happy to be a part of that plan and can't wait to join my teammates in Florida."
