3 former Phillies ranked among MLBTR’s top trade candidates
By Matt Rappa
Asdrubal Cabrera, infielder
It seems like forever ago when then-Phillies general manager Matt Klentak acquired Asdrubal Cabrera from the New York Mets, but it actually was only three summers ago. In exchange for the two-time All-Star infielder, the Phillies sent their division rival Double-A prospect RHP Franklyn Kilome — who is 1-1 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.216 WHIP, and 15-15 strikeouts-to-walks ratio spanning five starts and 24 2/3 innings this season at Triple-A.
Ranked as the 23rd-most likely player to be traded, Adams writes that the switch-hitter “just keeps on producing,” despite his 35 years of age. “He’s no longer a shortstop, but Cabrera can handle either infield corner and second base,” Adams continues. “He’s been an average or better hitter every season since 2015, and this year has been perhaps the best start of his generally underrated career. Playing on just a $1.75 million salary this season, he’d be a boost to any contending club’s infield mix, although he’s currently on the injured list with a right hamstring strain.”
Cabrera did not exactly light the world on fire during his 49-game Phillies tenure in 2018, slashing .228/.286/.392, although he did provide some much-needed extra-base power with 13 doubles, five home runs, and 17 RBI.
Combined in his 217 games since with the Texas Rangers (2019), Washington Nationals (2019-20), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2021), the 15-year veteran has slashed .260/.341/.447 with 43 doubles, 30 home runs, 140 RBI, 95 walks, and 168 strikeouts. The Venezuela native, of course, began the first seven-plus seasons of his career with the Cleveland Indians (2007-14). In 2011, he earned Silver Slugger honors after slugging 32 doubles, 25 home runs, and 92 RBI across 151 games.