D-backs ink Asdrúbal Cabrera to 1-year deal

PHOENIX -- The D-backs have added some versatility and balance to their lineup, signing Asdrúbal Cabrera to a one-year deal on Monday. The contract is worth worth $1.75 million, plus another $1.05 million in incentives, according to a baseball source. The club has not confirmed the financial aspects of the deal.

To make room for Cabrera on the 40-man roster, the D-backs placed RHP Luis Frias on the injured list.

Cabrera, 35, spent last season with the Nationals. He posted a .242/.305/.447 slash line with an OPS+ of 98.

During his 14-year big league career, Cabrera has played first base, second base, shortstop and third base. He could see time at a variety of positions for the D-backs. Cabrera last played shortstop in 2018 and last played second in ’19. In ’20, he played first and third for the Nats.

With Ketel Marte expected to see a good deal of playing time in center field this year, Cabrera adds another option for the infield. He could play second base, or if the D-backs prefer him at third, they could put him there and slide Eduardo Escobar over to second.

A switch-hitter, Cabrera offers an alternative to left-handed hitters Josh Rojas and Josh VanMeter, who will be competing for playing time in the infield this spring.

When he's not in the lineup, Cabrera gives the D-backs a veteran hitter off the bench, which is something else the team had been hoping to add this offseason. Cabrera has a career .286 batting average as a pinch-hitter and a .406 on-base percentage in that role.