Tuesday’s signing of shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera by the Rays could signal the departure of Ben Zobrist.
Cabrera, 29, signed a one-year deal with the Rays after hitting .241/.307/.387 with 14 home runs over 616 plate appearances between the Indians and Nationals in 2014.
There was a point where Cabrera was a regular on Baseball Tonight due to his fielding gems and ability at the plate but these days seem to slipping away. Perhaps this one year deal with the Rays causes him to break out and produce but it is far from a given.
Sources: #Rays in agreement with Asdrubal Cabrera, pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 30, 2014
This deal works out well for the Rays as the cost will be minimal on a one-year deal. Should the Rays tank and Cabrera perform well, the team will unload him at the deadline. It also gives them the ability to move super-utility man Ben Zobrist who will make $7.5 million this year and become a free agent at the end of the year.