Texas Rangers Ink 1-Year Deal with Asdrubal Cabrera

The Texas Rangers have added their free-agent infielder coming to a reported agreement with veteran Asdrubal Cabrera.

The Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed to a 1-year deal with 11-year veteran infielder Asdrubal Cabrera according to Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the deal is worth $3.5 million.

2018 and Career Stats

Cabrera, 33, is coming off a 2018 season where he split time between the Mets and the Phillies. The switch-hitting infielder hit .262 last season in 147 games while hitting 23 home runs. His OPS sat at .774 which would’ve been 4th on the Rangers last season trailing only Choo, Gallo and Profar.

Defensively, Cabrera is known for his ability to play a number of positions around the diamond. While naturally a shortstop, he’s spent time at both third base and second base over the past few seasons. In 2018, Cabrera posted a 0.7 WAR which would’ve been 10th on the Rangers last season between Nomar Mazara (1.0) and Ronald Guzman (0.5).

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In his career, Cabrera is a .269 hitter with a career .754 OPS and a career WAR of 26.2.

What Will Cabrera’s Role Be For Texas?

Expectations are that Asdrubal Cabrera will be the starting third baseman for the Texas Rangers come Opening Day. Cabrera has the glove needed to play the hot corner effectively and after the retirement of future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre and trade of Jurickson Profar, Texas has a hole at the position.

At the plate, he’ll also add some much needed balance to a lefty-heavy, free-swinging lineup. As a switch-hitter, Texas can avoid having to worry about the matchup game as much and more focus on having a true everyday third baseman. If I had to take a guess at the Rangers projected lineup for Opening Day it may look something like this.

DH Choo

SS Andrus

RF Mazara

LF Gallo

3B Cabrera

2B Odor

C Kiner-Falefa

1B Guzman

CF DeShields

That’s honestly a decent lineup that provides consistent hitting top to bottom. Obviously, Gallo doesn’t quite have the average of those around him but he more than makes up for it with power. Hopefully, Cabrera, Odor and Kiner-Falefa trailing him should add some protection as well.

It’ll be interesting to see how this lineup shifts any if the Rangers make any more moves this offseason but for now, this seems like the most balanced starting lineup achievable.