INF ASDRÚBAL CABRERA

Asdrúbal Cabrera made a lot of sense for the Mariners at the trade deadline in a year of contention in 2018, but he may even make more sense for them in a rebuilding year. Not only does he have the potential to be valuable at the deadline, he also doesn’t really seem to fit the mold of a contending team right out of free agency. He’s just the type of player that gets added once a team is in the middle of its run and needs to get a bit richer throughout their roster.
The former Seattle farmhand is now 33-years-old and well past his prime, at least defensively. Despite significant regression at the plate after being traded to the Phillies this Summer, Cabrera managed to achieve a 111 wRC+ with 23 home runs and 75 RBI, both second best in his career. The Mariners have a need for a solid utility infielder, though Cabrera could be given a chance to start on the regular if they wind up trading Jean Segura and/or Robinson Canó.
Even if Cabrera balls out, don’t hold your breath for a relatively “sexy” return in a trade. He may land the M’s a nice lottery ticket prospect or two in the end, but no more. Still, that could be extremely valuable to a team starting to rebuild its once-ridiculed farm system.