The signing of Cabrera gives the Mets 2 switch-hitting middle infielders in their projected Opening Day lineup, with Cabrera at shortstop and Walker at second base.
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The addition of Cabrera also could spell the end of Flores’ tenure in NY, again. The 30-year-old will get most of his time on the field as a utility player at second base and shortstop.
“We’re trying to build a team with a lot of flexibility, versatility and depth”, Ricco said. 265 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. The Mets will now have Walker, Cabrera, Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada as middle infield options as well as youngsters Dilson Herrera and Matt Reynolds.
The two-time All-Star has hit. While he could be a fit as a platoon player at shortstop and second base, he does not play third. The native of Venezuela was signed by the Seattle Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2002 and spent time with the Cleveland Indians (2007-2014), Washington Nationals (2014) and Rays (2015) over his nine-year career, which he has hit.
There are a good amount of options on the open market, and with around $80 million dollars to play with (if one thinks about the money offered to Ben Zobrist), much can still be done. “Giving them more rest, ways to get them at-bats in situations where they will thrive”.
NOTE: The Mets lost right-hander Matthew Bowman to St. Louis in the winter meetings draft. “Trying to acquire pieces that give us depth is the goal and what we are building toward”.
The Mets are still looking for bullpen help, another outfielder and, with the trade of Niese, a starter – at least until Zack Wheeler’s expected return this summer from Tommy John surgery.
A poor defender for the majority of his career, Cabrera’s UZR last season of -6.0 was actually the best it’s been since 2010, but rated worse than Flores’ -2.5.
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“We’re going to look at each one of them individually, where if it’s enough of an upgrade where it warrants a longer-term deal and we think that’s going to make us better, I think we’ll be able to”, Ricco said.
