From the Collection: Asdrubal Cabrera, ss, Cleveland Guardians
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The early 2010’s was a rough time to be a Cleveland baseball fan. But one of the bright spots was infielder Asdrubal Cabrera.
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Getting Cabrera was real get by the Cleveland front office. In 2006 Cleveland traded away 36-year-old first baseman Eduardo Pérez to the Mariners for 20-year-old Cabrera. Cabrera was one of the Mariners Top 10 prospects, with a solid bat and plus defense. He would open the 2007 season as Cleveland #15 prospect and was seen as the team future shortstop.
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Cabrera made the majors in 2007, partially on the back of the struggles of second baseman Josh Barfield—who was an unfortunate Cleveland front office miss. Cabrera hit immediately and helped the team reach the 2007 postseason. By 2009 he was the teams full time shortstop, bumping Jhonny Peralta to third.
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Cabrera was a mainstay of Cleveland’s infield for seven seasons, mostly at shortstop. Over that time, he had a 104 OPS+, was a Silver Slugger and two-time All-Star. In 2011 he hit 25 home runs, which was a franchise record for shortstops.
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By 2014, both Cabrera’s bat and glove was sliding, and Cleveland traded him away for infielder Zach Walters, who never did much for the club.
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Cabrera, despite his now questionable defense, would continue to be a useful player for a variety of clubs over the next seven seasons while manning corner infield positions. He would have two more 20 home run campaigns in him, and in 2019 was part of the National Championship club. Cabrera would retire with a 105 OPS+ and 195 career home runs.
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Another thing about Asdrubal Cabrera: he was a tough autograph. Both he and Michael Brantley were difficult to get back then, though both did sign just enough to make it worth your time. This card…a printing plate…was probably sent out on a half-dozen consignments before I was able to get it knocked out during Spring Training.