Phillies GM Klentak: Cabrera Answers Club’s ‘Most Pressing Need’

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The "determined" Philadelphia Phillies finally acquired their long-sought-after utility infielder — 12-year veteran Asdrubal Cabrera — in a two-player trade that sent 10th-ranked prospect Franklyn Kilome to the New York Mets.

While Kilome is now the Mets' fifth-ranked prospect for the long-term, Cabrera helps answer the Phillies' "most pressing need" in the short-term, according to general manager Matt Klentak.

"[Cabrera] can work an at-bat, hit the ball out of the park. He can play second, short or third. It works with our group," Klentak told reporters. "We can use the matchups, and [Gabe Kapler has] done a great job with that. It's an ideal fit for us."

While Cabrera has only played at second base this season for the Mets —committing just five errors in 356 chances — the two-time All-Star has mostly logged playing time at shortstop in his career (8,985 innings), with lesser experience at second (2,833 innings) and third base (351 2/3 innings). Cabrera will reportedly play all three positions at some point this season with the Phillies.



Not only is Cabrera versatile in the field, but he is also versatile in terms of batting order position. Cabrera is a career .275 hitter or better in five spots in the order: fifth (.301 batting average, 204 plate appearances), ninth (.301, 424), first (.290, 397), third (.280, 1,128) and sixth (.275, 542).

"Kap and I talked about Asdrubal a lot. Kap, in my mind, is a master at putting players in position to succeed," Klentak said. "The fact that Asdrubal can play multiple positions opens up possibilities."

The Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, native's acquisition will not relegate any of the Phillies' young players to a "full-time bench role," per Klentak, suggesting Scott Kingery will continue to receive starting time in the super-utility role he filled to begin the season.

Cabrera is expected to join the Phillies in time for the third of their four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, notes The Athletic's Meghan Montemurro.

While the club did not acquire Manny Machado, or other multi-position-capable infielders like Freddy Galvis, Whit Merrifield, Eduardo Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, or Jose Iglesias, Cabrera surely improves the Phillies' bench outlook in 2018 as the postseason race continues to heat up.

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