| By Chris Crawford |  | By 11-11-2012 |
The Seattle Mariners' search for offense has extended into the offseason with several candidates, both from the shallow crop of available free agents and the trade market, serving as possibilities. But the club cannot ignore the starting rotation if they wish to compete in the American League West. There are always reasons why deals are possible and why they won't happen. Some players fit, some don't. Among those that do, a few may fit better than others. The trade and financial costs are also major factors. Here, we'll dig into those factors, as well as analyze the potential impact of the player in question.
Check out previous reports on Offseason Targets here.
Next up, the second former Mariner on the list, Asdrubal Cabrera.
What Asdrubal Cabrera brings
Well, he's no Eduardo Perez. Sorry, I know it's still too fresh for these type of jokes.
In the years since that disastrous move that saw Cabrera head to Cleveland, the switch-hitting shortstop has quietly become one of the league's best offensive shortstops. The power has developed to a point that even his largest supporters couldn't have imagined. Add a not abhorrent plate approach and above average speed, and you get a player who has been above 3.5 oWAR three of the last four years.
Cabrera's defense -- believe it or not -- is actually the chink in the armor at this point in his career. While you see the 28-year old make plenty of plays that end up on Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter, its the balls he doesn't get to that cause concern. Of the 21 shortstops who qualified, only Derek Jeter and Alcides Escobar had lower UZR numbers, and only Jeter had a lower RngR. I wouldn't call Cabrera's defense crippling, but I would say that a move to second base might be necessary, and the offensive numbers play there as well.
Contract
Cabrera signed a two-year extension last April that will see him receive $6.5 million in 2013 and $10 million 2014. In other words, he's a bargain in the upcoming year and good value in the next. This would only be a difficult contract you'd be looking to move if you were looking to tear things up.
Which brings us to...
Why would Cleveland?
To put it bluntly, the Indians are awful. The rotation is bad, the lineup is bad, and the bullpen isn't good enough to make up for the lineup and rotation being bad (note: no bullpen will ever be good enough to make up for a bad lineup and rotation.) While the Indians don't have to move Cabrera this year, this would be maximize his trade value in a year where it would be somewhat stunning if they didn't lose 90 games. By the time the Tribe are ready to compete, Francisco Lindor should be ready to play, and the Indians do have Jason Kipnis at second base, a player that they like very much.
Why would Seattle?
To say that Asdrubal Cabrera is an offensive upgrade of Brendan Ryan is quite the understatement. Switch-hitting shortstops with average power do not grow on trees, and despite the defensive limitations, he'd be a welcome addition to the lineup. If the Mariners did decide that a change of position was necessary, he would likely be plus at second base, even if that doesn't appear to be a position of need anytime soon.
Conclusion
This is a move that looks better in the mind then it does on paper, but that doesn't mean it isn't something the Mariners should explore. The 2011 version of Cabrera would be a massive upgrade over Brendan Ryan, defensive flaws and all.
Unfortunately, if you get the 2012 version of Cabrera, this would be a fairly neutral move, and you would be paying him more money to tread the line. If Seattle does its due diligence and believes he's a four to five win player, pull the trigger. If not, stick with Ryan and upgrade offensively in other areas.
offseason-target:-asdrubal-cabrera
Comments
The following 12 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: jgthompson21 on 11-11-2012 15:48:38 Or... Make two seperate trades at the same time. Acquire Cabrera, play him at 2nd and trade Ackley to SD for Headley. Cabrera and Headley are better right now than Ackley and Saeger. Obvioulsy you can't guarantee that SD or Cle would pull the triggers, but ya, I would try. |
| 2. By: dewey on 11-11-2012 17:13:24 A question if Clevland is awful what our we? n the lst three years they have 14 more wins thenus and the last two years they have 6 more wins. They arent good but eier our we sorr to bea downer but thats the facts. |
| 3. By: Paul Martin on 11-11-2012 18:08:06 This year we lay off all FREE AGENTS, and improve through trades and young guys developing. Next year we make the splash in free agency with bigger names like: Kendrys Morales Justin Morneau Mike Morse Robinson Cano David Wright Jacoby Ellsbury Carlos Gomez Curtis Granderson Shin-Soo Choo Tim Lincecum ALL AVAILABLE next year. No need to overspend on an injury prone druggy (Hamilton) or an overpriced Aging player that sucks in the playoffs (Swisher). |
| 4. By: Chris Crawford on 11-11-2012 18:38:35 Dewey, while I agree that Cleveland has been as good if not better than Seattle the last few years, Seattle was a ton better than the Indians this year, and on paper, they're a better team next year too with no additions/the likelihood that Cleveland doesn't try to contend. Paul M, the problem with your statement is three-fold. 1. Several of those guys will have signed long term contracts by the time the offseason rolls around. Two,making judgement's based on a small sample size like the playoffs is asinine. Three, seriously? an injury prone druggy? |
| 5. By: Paul Martin on 11-11-2012 19:52:38 Chris, I would take Hamilton for 5 years at 100 to 125 million and Swisher for 3 years 50 million, but someone else will give them much more. To get either to come to Seattle you would also have to WAY overpay on $$$ and years. Look at Pujols last year. No way he is productive for even half that contract. Swisher is past his prime, yet some stupid team will give him 5+ years at crazy money. No way we get him for 3 years. |
| 6. By: Paul Martin on 11-11-2012 20:01:03 In the NFL, Mike Holmgren learned to draft defense and use free agency $$$ on offense. Given the Mariner's ballpark, they need to trade for offense and sign pitching free agency. Getting a pitcher to agree to come to Seattle is MUCH easier than attracting a hitter. Just ask Adrian Beltre. It just isn't going to happen. |
| 7. By: sexymarinersfan on 11-11-2012 21:26:01 While I don't agree with PM's total synopsis, I do believe he's on to something. I've felt for awhile now that in order for Seattle to attract hitters to Safeco Field, they're going to have to overpay to get them here. People like Hunter, Hamilton, Swisher, and such will be looking first to contending teams, or ballparks where they can pad their stats, feel safe in a lineup, etc. That just in Seattle, yet. Personally I feel that it would be easier for Jack and co. too acquire SP through FA at a rather acceptable price and then trade from a point of strength. However, let them prove me wrong. If they can woo some big time FA hitters here for a cost that makes sense, by all means, please, please, for the sake of our beloved franchise, PROVE ME WRONG! |
| 8. By: sexymarinersfan on 11-11-2012 21:30:21 With that being said, I've heard that Aaron Harang and Chris Capauano may be available on the trading block. Might be worth looking into. |
| 9. By: 24fan4life on 11-11-2012 22:28:44 I understand the logic behind PM's comments. I also believe that this year may be one where a team like us, desperate for offense, could capitalize on a lukewarm interest in what's available. I'm just not convinced yet that swisher and Hamilton will get outrageous contracts. And I believe they could be convinced they're going to a team, Seattle, that's only two bats away from competing. |
| 10. By: maqman on 11-12-2012 10:45:08 Cabrera would add to our crowded middle infield, although he would be a better bat - maybe. Franklin, Moreno, Miller will be knocking on the door this spring training. Seager may not be finished developing, Ackley may relearn how to hit and Ryan is the best defensive player in the game according to the Fielding Bible. I'm guessing Z will trade for one bat and sign one free agent stick. Hamilton is the only MOTO and I think he will end up costing more than he's worth, but two decent hitters will contribute as much or more as one MOTO will. Personally I'm hoping they sign one or both of Joe Blanton and/or Scott Feldman for 2 or 3 years as they will bring back lots of talent at the trade deadline or next off-season when our home grown arms start to contribute. They are priced right and will shine in Safeco and be rough equivalents to Iwakuma for a similar cost. Any trade for a bat will cost us an arm or two most likely. |
| 11. By: studentofthegame on 11-12-2012 13:36:37 Hey Chris, What is the deal with us picking up Cousins? This does not seem like a good use of 40-man roster space! Also, what the heck are we doing with Figgins? Is he going to be on the roster when we reach the winter meetings? These things seem to be more problematic than who we are gonna trade for or sign from free agency. We still have junk in the garage. Once we get some of those questions resolved it seems like the additions should start to happen. For me I like E-Jax, Swisher and Morneau from your list of options. |
| 12. By: Paul Martin on 11-12-2012 17:03:28 @#9 24fan4life We thought no one was going to go crazy over Prince Fielder last year too, and then Martinez gets injured and out of nowhere Detroit jumps in with a huge offer. It just takes one team...I think Hamilton and Swisher will get better options in terms of $$$, years, playoff teams/contenders, or hitter friendly ballparks. Lets hope Z gets a hitter via trade because it won't happen via free agency. Thoughts????? |
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