Oakland Athletics’ Offseason Options: Shortstops

Sep 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) gets set to bat in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Asdrubal Cabrera / 30 years old

Positions: Shortstop and Second Baseman

Bats: Both, Throws: Right

Height: 6’ 0”, Weight: 205 lb.

Cabrera is not far removed from being one of the premier shortstops in the game. While he may not be able to reproduce the production from 2011-12 (totaled 41 HR’s & 160 RBI’s) or the ESPN Top 10 plays (see below), he is still a more than serviceable option to play up the middle. He has also one of the younger shortstop free agents and with no prior major injuries; you can pretty much pencil in 130+ games from him year in and year out.

Not only that, but he’s also the only switch-hitting shortstop on the market – not named Pennington – which would give Oakland’s offense even more flexibility. With the additional ability to slide over and play second would still provide Semien with opportunities to play at short, but also explore other positions as well. The only problem is that with his relatively cheap $7.5 million contract in 2015, his services will likely be pursued by a variety of teams that can offer more than the A’s.

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