Cabrera ready for his second chance
PORT ST. LUCIE — Asdrubal Cabrera received the message through his agent during the Winter Meetings: The Mets were looking at second-base options but could easily pivot and acquire a third baseman.
Privately, Cabrera was hoping the new arrival would come at third base. Not that he embarrassed himself at third base over the final two months of last season when he was switched to the position, but Cabrera has a familiarity with second base from earlier in his career.
His wish was granted a week before the reporting date for pitchers and catchers, when the club signed third baseman Todd Frazier to a two-year contract, officially ceding second base to the 32-yearold Cabrera.
“[Frazier] is a really good player and good hitter and we look more solid on the inf ield with him,” Cabrera said Wednesday.
Cabrera insists the drama that followed him last season is no longer relevant. Anxious about his future, an angry Cabrera in June asked for a trade through the media after manager Terry Collins informed him he would be switched from shortstop to second base. Earlier in the season, according to sources, Cabrera resisted a move to third base, saying he wanted the club to pick up his option for 2018 in exchange for the position change.
A messy situation was defused in the second half of last season as a contrite Cabrera made the position switch without further outburst. In the end, the club picked up his $8.5 million option, giving the Mets a veteran with versatility to help anchor the infield.
“Whatever happened, it happened for some reason, but I still like Terry,” Cabrera said. “We had good conversations every time after [the blowup]. He is one of the great managers that I ever played for.”
Cabrera’s closest friend on the club says the infielder’s actions in the second half of last season show he is still a good teammate and asset to the Mets.
“He felt bad because he complained to the media, but sometimes as a baseball player you say something and you regret it,” Jose Reyes said. “At the end of the year he was happy, that is all that matters. He said, ‘I want to be back here.’ That’s what we want from the players.”
Bothered by a thumb injury for much of the season, Cabrera appeared in 135 games and posted a .280/.351/.434 slash line with 14 homers and 59 RBIs. He is now reunited with Mickey Callaway, hired to replace Collins as manager. Cabrera and Callaway, a former Indians pitching coach, were previously together with Cleveland in 2013-14.
“[Cabrera] is a leader,” Callaway said. “He led in Cleveland and does a great job. He knows the game and he has great instincts, so to have him up the middle with Rosie is going to really help.”
The “Rosie” of whom Callaway spoke is second-year shortstop Amed Rosario, whose anticipated arrival from Triple-A Las Vegas last season was a big factor in the Mets’ decision to move Cabrera in the infield.
“Rosario, he is young, but he is a real good player,” Cabrera said. “He knows how to play the game, too. This year is going to be real important for him and I think he is going to have a big year this year.”
Cabrera holds the same sentiment for the Mets, even after a 70-92 finish last season accentuated by injuries to the team’s star players. And Cabrera is not sold on the idea the Mets are inferior to the two-time defending NL East champion Nationals.
“They are very good, but we have got a good team, too,” Cabrera said. “I don’t think about the other team. I think about my team and I know what we have got and I know what we can do.”