The Rangers announced yesterday they have requested unconditional release waivers on third baseman Asdrúbal Cabrera. Texas designated the 33 year-old for assignment Thursday, an unceremonious end to a one-year, $3.42M contract.
It has been a tough season for the long-productive big leaguer, who has limped to a .235/.318/.393 line in 2019 despite calling hitter-friendly Globe Life Park home. After adjusting for the friendly enviornment, Cabrera’s 81 wRC+ means he’s been 19 percent below league average at the dish, not enough for a player no longer capable of manning shortstop.
There’s little solace to take in the underlying metrics, either. Cabrera remains a fairly patient hitter and is sporting his best walk rate in years, but that has come with a career-high strikeout rate. More worrisome, he’s simply lacked punch at the plate, with Statcast’s batted ball estimators pegging him for an anemic .212 expected batting average and .342 expected slugging percentage. Moreover, Cabrera’s been so pull-oriented this year, particularly on ground balls, he’s been exceptionally easy to defend.
Interested suitors will have to look to Cabrera’s lengthy track record instead. Indeed, he was an above-average hitter for the Mets and Phillies as recently as last season. He’ll almost certainly clear release waivers, then be eligible to sign with another club for the stretch run. Given his struggles this year following a lukewarm offseason market for his services, he may be forced to settle for a minor-league pact. Texas will remain on the hook for the rest of his salary, minus the prorated portion of the league minimum for any MLB time he logs with another organization.
Cashman get on this
Why
because he’s a great improvement
an improvement over Gleyber, LeMahieu and Urshella? How so??
Feel like Yanks would be better off going after a 1B/OF off the waiver wire….Voit still banged up, Encarnacion our at least 10 days, Hicks now banged up, and Staton most likely out until Sept 1
For what it’s worth, Tyler Austin got DFA’d a few days ago. Could sign him on a minor league deal. He’s not very good, but very few guys on waivers are studs. Probably not worth it at this point as Mike Ford and Ryan McBroom are probably as good or better than him. He does have MLB experience though.
Better than frazier.
@2weeks He’s not at all an improvement but they should still think about it if he’s willing to take a minor league deal. With as many injuries as we’ve had could with the inability to trade for someone, it makes perfect sense to sign any able bodied vet of note to a minor league deal. We do have guys like Wade and Estrada but still. it’s almost zero risk at that level.
why day ANYTHING about Frazier when discussing 1b or the other infield positions???? he’s an OF/DH.
why say ANYTHING about Frazier when discussing 1b or the other infield positions???? he’s an OF/DH.
+Knicks
Because he’s obsessed with trying to prove that Frazier is bad (even though he actually prove that he is)
We will be monitoring his situation!
@Mets
Possible Cleveland reunion? Can platoon with Kipnis at second and is a slight improvement over Mike Freeman
Platoon a left handed hitter and a switch hitter who is better from the left side?
Just looked at the splits. Good point
Kipnis has really improved . Freeman does well when needed. I am an Indians fan. I don’t think adding Asdrubal Cabrera to the Tribe roster would be a good thing to do. ACab appears to be a tired out veteran who would hurt the Tribe more than help it.
Mets on line 1.
They need him bad! Current SS can’t defend.
They have Hechavarria, though, who’s a far better defensive SS than Droobs at this point.
0.4 WAR on the year. Would make for a good bench player.
Brewers need a backup or primary shortstop. Arcia hasn’t been able to hit consistently and Saladino is a waste of a roster space.
Too bad the Yanks couldn’t afford a bag of balls for Smoak. Jays were giving players away. All you had to do is ask!
@PTDJays
You really think the reason he wasn’t traded for was because of money or trade cost? Eh, no? More than likely it’s because they’d have to move someone off the 40 man/25 man or an injured guy to the 60 day.
Besides, I think they should reward one of Ford or McBrom for their great performance in AAA. We can slide DJ to 1b too,
The Mets have an opening. Robinson Cano just went out with a serious hamstring.
With Canó getting injured in this game, Mets may look to bring him back.
Mets are on the phone with Agent like now.
Mets for sure now Cano is hurt.