According to Marc Carig of Newsday, the New York Mets are still considering picking up the 2018 option for infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.
Following the 2017 season the Mets have the option of paying Cabrera a $2 buyout or picking up his $8.5 million option for 2018 (he gets $2 million either way so real value of option is $6.5 million).
Third base has looked like a much better fit for the veteran that no longer has the range to play in the middle infield. Cabrera has shown versatility this year playing 45 games at shortstop, 20 at second and nine at third base.
That versatility is one reason the Mets could be interested in bringing back Cabrera. “The easiest way to explain it is Ben Zobrist,” Terry Collins told Newsday. “This guy has been on two world champions in a row. It’s pretty important to be able to have that versatility. When somebody needs a day off, or someone’s down for a few days, you don’t miss a beat because you have somebody that can step in.”
Cabrera has been hitting better of late as well, he’s slashing .295/.366/.473 over his last 145 plate appearances.
The Mets seem likely to have Amed Rosario at shortstop next season and Dominic Smith at first base, leaving question marks at second and third base. Both positions Cabrera has played this year.
Of course, all of this will become moot if the Mets are able to find a trade partner for Cabrera this month.
