The Diamondbacks have signed infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year, $1.75MM contract with $1.05MM in incentives, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets.
Cabrera has played for six teams since his career began with Cleveland in 2007, and he spent parts of the previous two years with the Nationals. While he performed quite well with the Nats during their World Series-winning campaign in 2019, hitting .323/.404/.565 in 146 plate appearances, Cabrera put together a less imposing line of .242/.305/.447 over 213 PA last season. That isn’t far from the switch-hitting 35-year-old’s lifetime offensive output, though, as he has batted .268/.330/.426 across 7,046 trips to the plate.
Cabrera has divided the majority of his career among the middle infield and third base, though he didn’t play any shortstop between 2019-20. Unless that changes, he’ll be a fallback option behind Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte and third baseman Eduardo Escobar.
DarkSide830
he’ll be back in WSH by the deadline
Luc 2
Sign me up if he can redo 2019
Rexwood
Why wait that long?
dipsanddingers
I’m guessing they are keeping marte in Center
Rsox
I’m thinking the same thing because i can see no reason he would sign to be a backup. Unless they are going to trade Escobar
oldmansteve
No. Asdrubal is not a 2B at this point of his career. He will be limited to the corners. A 35 year old with negative defensive value who has been a below league average hitter for 2 years now should not expect a starting job.
Rsox
Eduardo Escobar could move to 2B with Cabrera at 3B and Marte in CF
oldmansteve
Maybe, but a rebuilding team should see if Varsho or Locastro can man CF before they move Marte off 2B where he provides most of his value for an infielder well past his prime.
paddyo furnichuh
@SteveNE, I agree with your point other than the last part. Ketel Marte is 27 yo-maybe you were thinking of the former D-Back Starling. But I agree that keeping Ketel at 2B is the ideal situation for AZ.
paddyo furnichuh
Pardon, I misread your comment, you were referring to Cabrera.
rltkc11
Agreed he was below average with the bat last year but to say two years is incorrect right? He was solid in a limited capacity in 2019.
mlb1225
Still crushed LHP last season so not a bad pick up for a bench platoon player.
TAKERDBACKS
As a diehard dbacks fan. I bet they make the playoffs. Last year was a short season and they started slow and had injuries. This year Bumgarner will have a much better year, gallen is awesome, I bet Caleb Smith gives them a decent year. That on top of a bounce back from Escobar who had heart problems.They will be sneaky good.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I’m not denying your postseason claim, but the Padres and Dodgers are also very good.
TAKERDBACKS
Listen i definitely am not blind to what the Padres have. The dodgers may take a step back to be honest. The 60 game no fans is a big difference. But even if they don’t you never know. look at the 49ers in football
oldmansteve
Only a diehard Dbacks fan would think they will be going to the playoffs with that roster. They have 36 games against the Dodgers and the Padres. Stranger things have happened, but good luck.
Tavo
Still have a world series title in our packet 2001 dback diehard for life
Orel Saxhiser
38 games.
TAKERDBACKS
I get it. its not easy but like you said. stranger things happened. one or two injuries open the door for anyone
Ya'll a bunch of salty crybabies
With the depth that the Dodgers and Padres have, it’s going to take more than 1 or 2 injuries.
DarkSide830
they are in a division with the two best teams in baseball and will probably beat the NL East’s 2nd best team to get in.
Rexwood
The day they make the playoffs there will be three wisemen on camels in your backyard.
Astros2017&22Champs
Dbacks need pavin smith to materialize. Dude has great plate discipline. Needs everyday major league at bats going forward
Griffin Design
Smith is a B U S T
MikeyHammer
Or, as Russo would call him, Cabroodle.
Orel Saxhiser
Good signing. He won’t start at any one position but he has versatility and will play a lot. A significant upgrade on what Lamb gave them the last three years (yes, I know Lamb was traded midway through the 2020 season).
MikeD26
Finally some news about the D backs.
Lets Go DBacks
Everyday 3B in case Escobar keeps slumping or is eventually traded a couple of months into the season.
Ghost Pepper
Just waiting for Robinson.
SonnySteele
Anyone else notice a resemblance between Asdrubal Cabrera and Harpo Marx?
D-Money
D-backs will need more than Droobs to make the post season. They will also need to sign Jesus Christ.
Griffin Design
I hear Jesus can’t hit a curveball
bobsugar84
Varsho back to the minor leagues to start the season, if everyone stays healthy.
Rexwood
Move the team to Vegas. Anything to get rid of Kendricks