The Tampa Bay Rays added to their middle infield mix.
The Rays have agreed to a contract with free-agent second baseman/shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera pending a physical, sources told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. The deal is for one year and is in the $8 million range, according to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.
Cabrera is coming off back-to-back lackluster seasons after emerging as an All-Star with the Cleveland Indians in 2011 and 2012. The 29-year-old was traded from the Indians to the Washington Nationals at this year’s Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline.
Cabrera hit .241 with 14 homers, 61 RBIs and a .694 OPS in 146 games split between Cleveland and Washington in 2014. He has played primarily shortstop throughout his eight-year big league career, though he also has ample experience at second base.
There has been speculation this offseason that the Rays might trade its king of versatility, Ben Zobrist. The Cabrera signing seemingly increases the likelihood of a deal, as Tampa Bay also has shortstop Yunel Escobar and second baseman Nick Franklin in its grasp.
Thumbnail photo via Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports Images
