Report: Blue Jays discussed Asdrubal Cabrera but “not clear if deal viable”

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays checked in on Cleveland Indians’ shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera earlier this week but says it’s “not clear if [a] deal is viable now.”

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports adds the “Blue Jays are one of a few teams that has emerged as a possibility” for Cabrera. Currently the Indians starting shortstop, the thinking is he’d be able to slide over to second base Blue Jays for either the Blue Jays or Giants.

Cabrera, 28, is set to become a free agent after this season and is batting .249/.308/.390 for the Tribe with a .309 wOBA and 97 wRC+.

One has to wonder how much of an upgrade Cabrera would actually be for the Jays. Brett Lawrie tweeted today that he was taking ground balls at third and may be ready for rehab games as early as this weekend according to John Lott of the National Post.

In the meantime, the platoon of Munenori Kawasaki/Steven Tolleson has worked splendidly for the Jays to late with Kawasaki putting up a .321 w OBA and 100 wRC+ against righties while Tolleson has been destroying lefties with a .423 wOBA and 170 wRC+.

And then of course there’s Ryan Goins, who is light with the bat but recently had the game of his life against the Boston Red Sox and provides double plus defense at second. GM Alex Anthopoulos may have very well decided it’s not worth giving up a possible piece of the future for Cabrera, hence the reported lost traction in talks.

Cabrera is owed approximately $3.3 million the rest of this season according to Cot’s Contracts.