Fansided

Breaking down the best of what’s left in the MLB free-agent market

By Joshua Sadlock

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: Atlanta Braves Third Base Josh Donaldson (20) smiles after the first inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on September 12, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 12: Atlanta Braves Third Base Josh Donaldson (20) smiles after the first inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on September 12, 2019 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Asdrubal Cabrera #13 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during Game 7 of the 2019 World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 30: Asdrubal Cabrera #13 of the Washington Nationals throws to first base during Game 7 of the 2019 World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

12. Asdrubal Cabrera

While not quite on the same level as 2019 teammate Howie Kendrick, 13-year veteran Asdrubal Cabrera is aging into the “professional hitter for hire” role quite well. The 34-year-old infielder provided a surprising amount of pop off the bench for the Nationals down the stretch and picked up six hits in the World Series. He nearly set a new career high for RBI in 2019 with 91.

Over 13 years in the big leagues, Cabrera has racked up 1,646 hits, 317 doubles, 180 home runs and 796 RBI to go with a .268/.331/.425 slash line. He hit .323/.404/.565 with six home runs and 40 RBI in only 38 games with Washington after being released by Texas after July 31 had passed. Cabrera has experience playing all four infield positions, although he did not play any shortstop last season and no longer has the range to play the position in any case but an absolute emergency.

Cabrera was on a one-year, $3.5-million contract last season, and another one-year deal should be within his reach. He hit well enough down the stretch with the Nationals to earn himself more than an invite to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. That may not be the case after 2020 when he’s 35, but for now, Cabrera is still a cheap, productive utility option around the infield.

The 34-year-old offers similar production against left-handed and right-handed pitching, so he doesn’t have to be pegged into a strict platoon role. His power numbers are about the same against pitchers from either side of the rubber. Cabrera has had a lengthy, consistent career, and it still has a little bit of life left.

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