Asdrubal Cabrera is the favorite to start at third base in 2018 according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The decision is not official, but assistant GM John Ricco said that the Mets are leaning in that direction.
Third base has been a revolving door for the Mets ever since David Wright began missing majorities of seasons with injuries on a consistent basis in 2015. Since then the hot corner has been inhabited by a multitude of players. That includes nine players aside from Wright who have spent 20 or more games there between 2015-2017: Kelly Johnson (22), Juan Uribe (26), Matt Reynolds (28), T.J. Rivera (37), Daniel Murphy (42), Cabrera (43), Eric Campbell (55), Jose Reyes (85), and Wilmer Flores (105).
Flores has spent the majority of time at third base the last two years, but after the Mets picked up Cabrera’s $8.5 million option at the beginning of the month, all signs pointed to the Mets committing to Cabrera as a starter.
In his 43 games at third, Cabrera hit .350/.382/.515/.897 with 20 runs scored, three home runs, and 22 RBI. He also had one DRS and a -2.6 UZR in 350 1/3 innings at the hot corner. Before 2017 he had only played third base for 1 1/3 innings back in 2007 with the Cleveland Indians.
Overall in 2017 Cabrera hit .280/.351/.434/.785 with 66 runs scored, 14 home runs, and 59 RBI. He was also good for a 1.3 WAR which was his lowest mark since 2013 with the Indians when he put up a 0.3 WAR.
