The Nationals announced Wednesday that they’ve re-signed infielder Asdrúbal Cabrera to a one-year contract. The Octagon client will reportedly be guaranteed $2.5MM and can earn an additional $500K via incentives.
Cabrera, 34, latched on with the Nats in August. He was fantastic for the eventual World Series champs down the stretch, putting up a .323/.404/.565 line over 146 plate appearances. Of course, that doesn’t tell the whole story of Cabrera’s season. He compiled a meager .235/.318/.393 slash in Texas. The Rangers released him the first week of August, presumably after finding nothing to their liking before the July 31 trade deadline. Cabrera’s .260/.342/.441 cumulative performance (98 wRC+) was almost exactly league average.
Coupled with still-solid defensive metrics at second and third, Cabrera was worth just under two wins above replacement (1.7 bWAR, 1.9 fWAR) in 131 games. If he can replicate that solid production in 2020, he’d be a bargain on such a low-cost deal. Of course, Cabrera’s age, slow start and the saturated free agent market for infielders combined to limit his earning power.
The signing is perhaps more interesting from a broader market perspective. Cabrera and Starlin Castro, who agreed to a two-year deal with Washington yesterday, are both solid players who now look to be in line to contribute on a more-or-less everyday basis. Yet they’re not the marquee players some Nats’ fans may have been hoping for once Anthony Rendon left.
Washington looks to be one of the finalists for Josh Donaldson. The top free agent still on the market, Donaldson is reportedly sitting on multiple four-year offers, waiting for someone to match his asking price. At one point, the Nats themselves put forth a four-year proposal. It isn’t clear whether that specific offer remains on the table following the club’s recent moves.
That said, neither Castro nor Cabrera should prevent the Nats from adding Donaldson from a financial perspective. And Washington could certainly push one or both into complimentary roles to fit a player of Donaldson’s caliber on the roster. Indeed, Jim Bowden of the Athletic hears that Washington isn’t necessarily out on Donaldson.
The club’s recent moves, however, at least give them a safety net should they miss out on the Bringer of Rain (or one of the trade market’s top options). Between Castro, Cabrera, Howie Kendrick and Carter Kieboom, Washington has myriad in-house options capable of manning second and third base. Perhaps that gives them a bit less urgency than other clubs searching for upgrades on the dirt- most notably, the Braves, Rangers, and Twins- to meet the lofty acquisition cost each player would certainly require.
Robert Murray first reported (via Twitter) that the two sides were close to a deal. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the agreement and the terms (all Twitter links).
I’m sure it’ll be a 1 year deal, but welcome back
How do you not agree to terms with someone named Asdrubel?
Castro and Cabrera…..
equals no Donaldson.
Because Dozier and Cabrera equalled no Rendon?
They have ten position players locked in, three slots left. Only 1-2 locked in surefire starters in the infield. They are arguably favorites for Donaldson, though I lean Twins.
Just curious why you lean Twins? The Braves have now offered for years. It’s been reported all over the place that, all things being equal, he’d prefer to stay in Atlanta. He’s from the south. He went to Auburn. And it’s also been reported that he will give the Braves a chance to match any offer. I could see leaning Twins before the Braves went to 4 years, but they’re there now. Just wondering what your logic is there.
Or, we could maybe read the article and see that it says the opposite.
But you know. You know.
Sounds like they’re tired of waiting for Donaldson to make a decision.
Sounds like Donaldson has made his decision.
Or it’s been made for him.
Not bad. 1 for 2.5 value deal. Worth getting your ring on opening day than for a different team. Lol. Still waiting on Donaldson………..
With Donaldson wanting 110 million looks like he’ll be the new 3rd baseman
The Nats new 3rd baseman!
With the additions of Castro & Cabrera, I think it’s safe to say the Nats are out on Donaldson.
Agree – very risky deal for Donaldson. Nats smart.
Get Hudson and call it an off-season
Read the article
A lot of these posts were posted before the article was fleshed out. Version 2.0 of the article posited that he could still be signed.
Donaldson will not be a Nat. After signing two alternatives, they are taking themselves out of play – for Donaldson as well as Bryant – IMO.
Zimmerman more likely to be signed by the Nats than Donaldson. Nats have plenty of 3B options now.
Those alternatives might be sufficient for a rebuilding team or a competitive, low budget team like the Brewers who don’t have better options but for teams with owners like the Lerners, Cabrera and Marte are especially good bench pieces.
Why would you think that?
All the reporting is the Nats are still in. You could make a case for the Nats scaling back there offer though no reports reflect that. No reports of the Nats withdrawing their offer have surfaced either. If the Nats had signed Donaldson before these additions they would most likely have gone over the Lux Tax anyway. Niether of these contracts are very weighty. So niether would prevent the Nats from adding a marquee player like Josh
I wholeheartedly agree
He had good defensive at 3B, but not an answer for Nats tho
I think Donaldson goes back to the Braves!
Most likely. Hard to picture him signing with the Twins.
If the Twins offer is ten million dollars more…
Zillow dot com.
Castro made me think the Nationals were hedging but this signing tells me that Donaldson isn’t going to be a Nat. Washington has got way too many major league infielders now
Guys can be traded for spare parts or DFA’d. Having them as insurance policies never hurt, either. Look at how many injuries the Yankees had.
I think the Nats almost HAVE to ink Donaldson to replace some of the production and defense lost when Rendon flew the coop.
@Pinstriped: I agree. They could still handle the monetary side, but the roster is filling up.
No they haven’t. Even if they get JD, they can play any two of Cabrera, Castro, and Kendrick at 1st and 2nd every day, leaving one of the three on the bench and still have room for Difo as an emergency SS.
That didn’t stop the Mets from going infield crazy last season. Though it actually kind of paid off with Lowrie being hurt all year.
Kieboom will probably start the season in the minors now.
Kieboom is on his way to the cubs for Bryant. Looks like it’s shaping that way.
Nats would never do that
Why wouldn’t they? That’s going to be the demand for any potentially-available superstar third bagger, a top-flight prospect. Now, if you had said the Nats would never do that if Bryant only has one year of control left, I’d agree with you.
Bryant’s value will ultimately be determined by the outcome of his grievance. Two years means Kieboom and more. One year means Kieboom..
Kieboom is not going to a team for 2 years of a player.
Rizzo is about sustainable contention. Core players make that happen. Kieboom is a candidate core player, to join Turner, Soto, and Robles – at a reasonable salary.
Turner has 3 more years before he’s a free agent. If the Nationals don’t sign him, what you’re proposing leaves them without a SS in 3 years, as well as without a 3B that left in 2 years.
LOL
If Mike Rizzo loved Carter Kieboom that much he would be their starting 2B tomorrow. But what has he done? Signed Castro and Cabrera. Don’t talk in certainties when all you’re doing is blowing hot air.
Vandals, is Keiboom that good? I ask in all seriousness because it seems favorable to the Nats to trade a prospect for Bryant during their window. But, I’m not all that familiar with Keiboom, other than what I’ve read, briefly. I hear a lot of prospects talked about and I don’t recall hearing that much about his impending arrival and the impact he will make. Again, not saying it’s wrong, just asking.
“If Mike Rizzo loved Carter Kieboom that much he would be their starting 2B tomorrow. But what has he done?”…
Have you ever heard of player development? Rizzo does love CK & thast is why he got a shot at the start of last year & will again have a chance this spring to earn the B starting slot. Btu you really have to sign a serviceable veteran like Castro as a backup plan… much like signing cabby BEFORE everyone else who didn’t get Donaldson is competing for 3B starters
Bienvenido de vuelta Compa- good vibes & needed from similar WS Champ clan !
A 2 WAR for 2.5 mil… Donaldson would need to produce a 20 WAR for his 25 mil. Wise decision for the nationals.
I really liked what they did last off season. I really like what they are doing this year.
Go Nats.
This means that Donaldson will not play for the Washington Nationals.
So very not a fact.
But you know better than the article.
A lot of these posts were posted before the article was fleshed out. Version 2.0 of the article posited that he could still be signed. But you can be a jerk if you want to.
Buyer beware! It didn’t work with Pierce/Red Sox…..
Pearce had a much different skillset to Cabrera.
I dont think there is such a thing as buyer beware when it’s “only” 2.5 million. That’s like me taking a $1 flyer on the 800 million lottery. If it hits then it’s amazing, if I lose, it’s not even thought about
I could see the Nats go 4/$120M with $30M deferred.
theres your 3B. no Donaldson clearly hurts the lineup, but leaves a lot more money for bullpen additions and injury replacements at the deadline.
Not much left for pen help and, seriously though, without Donaldson, who is WSH batting cleanup? Kendrick?
Turner
Eaton
Kendrick
Soto
Castro
Cabrera
Suzuki/Gomes
Robles
Eventually Kieboom in the mix, and Robles will probably force his way up the lineup.
Rizzo can’t make up the loss of Rendon unless he gets Donaldson, but their starting pitching is so good these other additions might keep them at the top until the deadline. They do have a good mix of veterans and young players.
Or if Donaldson does sign in DC
Turner
Eaton
Soto
Donaldson
Kendrick
Castro/Keiboom
Zuke/Gomes
Robles
Cabby becomes a dangerous switch hitting pinch hitter.
Eaton and Soto are LH and will not hit back-to-back.
Oh I was confused with Josh Hamilton Josh Donaldson sure that’s a great deal I was going to say have you been old friend where is everybody anyway
As a Braves fan, I hope these signings mean that the Nats are moving on from Josh. With the 26th slot on the roster, they could still add him.
I was hoping Cleveland would’ve brought him in last year to fill the hole in their IF and could’ve done it again this offseason as it’s a reasonable price.
I’ve wanted the Indians to bring back Asdrubal for years. He’s still a solid hitter and can play a few spots across the infield. He’s a cheap guy to give a few hundred at bats too for when they’d wanna DH him or give off days to Jose or Cesar Hernandez (or even Lindor, although I wouldn’t want Asdrubal playing short more than a few times).
+1
Nats still missing one more elite bat, only Soto and Turner qualify in that lineup, everyone else is mids. They should just get Donaldson and call it a day.
I agree they need a bat but I don’t want a bad contract either. I think a four year deal with Donaldson would be a bad one. I think the Strasburg deal will end up being a bad one also. I don’t like what Mike Rizzo has done. I am not keen on Starlin Castro. It would’ve been better to sign Cesar Hernandez. Kieboom had a very good year in Fresno but the balls there were like the balls in the majors. Maybe they plan to play Cabrera for the first month while Kieboom gets more playing time at third in Fresno. I don’t think a Kris Bryant trade is a good idea. Trading three good prospects for only two years is a terrible idea.
Called this.. He’s likely the starting 3B if Nats don’t sign Donaldson or trade for Bryant.
How about a trade for Miguel Andjuar for the Nats? Would cost significantly less than trading for Bryant or signing Donaldson… don’t foresee Andjuar with a future in New York with the emergence of Urshela and Stanton due to get most of the DH at bats…
I could see that. Perhaps for the SS prospect Kieboom. Nats get their future 3B (or 1B depending on how Andújar progressed defensively) and Yanks have a future option for SS should Torres turn out to be a better option at 2B.
That is way too much for andujar, his value is really low right now.
Why?
The Nats have either moved on from Donaldson, or are wisely building in Plan B before prices escalate on the second-tier options if Donaldson signs elsewhere.
still baffles me that a 783 OPS is slightly below average right now
Go Cubs Go
Don’t think these moves (Castro/Cabrera) take the Nats out of the Donaldson sweepstakes, but it does calm the desperation.
Maybe the Nationals now sit firm with a 3-year offer — if he takes it, great, if not, then no big deal.
I’m of the camp that 4-years for Donaldson is too big a risk to take. He played in 113 games in ’17 and 52 in ’18. While JD produced given better health in 2019, his age (34) and injury history would worry me.
It’s not that big a risk if you trade hime at the deadline on his third year and restock the farm
What if he’s injured or performing horribly? Or what if he’s one of the big reasons your in a playoff hunt and not sellers? Three years is a long ways away for an aging 3rd basemen to place stock like that in him lol.
Those fears go with any deal but the flaw in many evaluations is that age does not necessarily mean a greater likelihood of injury. As for performance, he has been very consistent over his career with the exception of the one recent year (over two seasons) in which he was injured
I mean in a perfectly predictable world, yes, haha. But you can’t just bank on a player being trade-able in 3 years…
What’s next for the Nats? Todd Frazier?
Nope
Donaldson… if he’s willin’
Keep it going Rizzo
1.7 WAR with a hot end to his season once trade times the Nationals – all for $2.5MM. Terrific!
Do the Nat’s have an 80-man roster? Seems like they’re signing someone every day… whether they need them or not.
many of the signings have been minor ;league/spring invite deals
yeahhhh ! AsssDribble is coming back. hope he gets to play third base
Asschewballs
I’m not a Nationals fan, but I always dig it when a championship team tries to keep its players. I know keeping Rendon AND Strasburg was never going to happen, but it’s good to keep the core group together.
I think to much is made of Donaldson wanting to return to Atlanta. He did indeed state his preference was to return but it’s not like he quantified how much that is worth to him. A lot of people seem to be helping with that by adding phrases like “all things being equal” and explanations about how the industry understaning is that Donaldson will give the Braves the last chance.
Since we don’t really know anything beyond that he has some preference to return to Atlanta, I usually treat it like it doesnt exist because you can’t quantify it. What we can quantify is that he wants to hit 4 years $110 million. If the Twins make that offer, we will probably see him go to Minnesota.
Good points. In reality JD may desire for the Braves to pay the most so he can return but he is not leaving money on the table to return to the Braves
Can you say moneyball — the Nats can — but if they bring JD in then the Nats have put together a very good bench — improved the pen but need a 4th and 5th starter —