3 potential landing spots: Asdrubal Cabrera
An early flurry of signings has left the free agent pool for positional players nearly dry - but one of the more intriguing options still available on the open market is Asdrubal Cabrera.
The 29-year-old has the ability to play every infield position, except first base, and can hit in the middle of the order with above-average power. Cabrera hit 14 home runs and drove in 61 runs in 146 games for both the Cleveland Indians and Washington Nationals.
Here are three potential landing spots for the two-time All-Star:
New York Mets
General manager Sandy Alderson made a splash early in free agency, inking former batting champion Michael Cuddyer to a two-year deal. But the momentum faded after Alderson failed to improve the club at the winter meetings.
Alderson needs to address his team's void at shortstop, and he's running out of time. Cabrera would certainly be an upgrade over Wilmer Flores, who slashed .251/.286/.378 over 78 games. Alderson, however, may feel more inclined to deal one of his many young pitchers (Noah Syndergaard perhaps) in order to acquire a top shortstop. Reports continue to surface the Mets are interested in Colorado Rockies stud Troy Tulowitzki.
New York Yankees
Brian Cashman and Co. were heavily criticized for their slow start in free agency, but they certainly picked up the slack at the winter meetings, acquiring Didi Gregorius to replace Derek Jeter at shortstop and signing left-hander Andrew Miller to bolster the bullpen.
Cashman then added third baseman Chase Headley and traded away the versatile Martin Prado for Garrett Jones and a pair of young hurlers. The departure of Prado, who was projected to be the Opening Day second baseman, has left Cashman with another hole to fill this winter.
Cashman told the New York Post that youngsters Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder are currently the front-runners to hold down the fort at second, but it's hard to imagine the free-spending Bronx Bombers won't upgrade at the position this winter. Signing Cabrera makes perfect sense for this franchise.
Oakland Athletics
Cabrera seems to fit Billy Beane's mandate of positional versatility, but he would provide the biggest boost for the A's at second base over the Eric Sogard/Nick Punto platoon. Oakland also appears to have the financial flexibility to sign Cabrera after dealing away arbitration-eligible players Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, and Jeff Samardzija.
Other rumored landing spots for Cabrera include the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies.