With a little under an hour to go before the 4:00 PM Non-Waiver Trade Deadline there are multiple reports that say the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians have agreed on a deal that will bring 28-year-old switch-hitting infielder Asdrubal Cabrera to the nation's capital in return for 24-year-old switch-hitting infielder Zach Walters:
Cabrera to the Nationals. More soon...
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 31, 2014
Cabrera traded to Washington Nationals.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) July 31, 2014
Indians receive Zach Walters from Washington. He's played 32 games in the big leagues.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) July 31, 2014
Confirmed: Asdrubal Cabrera to #Nationals. Seem likely to play him at 2B and keep Rendon at 3B.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
The Nationals have since confirmed the deal:
#Nats have acquired INF Asdrubal Cabrera & cash considerations from the #Indians in exchange for INF Zach Walters: http://t.co/DVU45yPlEp
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 31, 2014
Cabrera has posted a .246/.305/.386 line with 22 doubles, two triples and nine home runs so far this season with a 245/.316/.379 line against right-handers and .248/.284/.400 vs left-handers.
As we noted in this morning's report on the rumors of the Nats' interest in the infielder, Cabrera is playing out the second year of a 2-year/$16.5M deal this season.
The Puerto La Cruz, Anzoategui, Venezuela-born infielder has played 162 games at second base in his career, but hasn't played second since 2009.
Here are all the rumors from the last 24 hours that led up to the deal...
#Nationals need IFer with Zimmerman out. Have discussed A. Cabrera, D. Murphy internally, but no deal close, sources tell me and @jonmorosi.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
#Nationals, #BlueJays, two other clubs have spoken to #Indians about A. Cabrera, sources tell me and @jonmorosi. Not certain to be traded.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
Sources: #Nationals have expressed interest in #Mets’ Murphy as well as #Indians’ Cabrera. Deal for Murphy considered a longshot.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2014
ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweeted yesterday that Cleveland was ready to move Cabrera and right-hander Justin Masterson, who was traded to the Cardinals on Wednesday:
Perception of the Indians continues to be that they are ready to move Asdrubal Cabrera, as written last week, and Justin Masterson.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2014
So will it be a platoon at second with Espinosa and Cabrera? Is Espinosa headed back to a utility role? Are you angry that Walters was dealt? Are the Nationals done?