If the Cleveland Indians move shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to the Arizona Diamondbacks, it would reportedly be a part of a four-team blockbuster trades involving multiple moving pieces, but at this stage is unlikely to happen at this point.
FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal helps clear the muddy waters by saying that in addition to the Tribe and D-Backs, the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners would also be seeing their name in the MLB’s transaction page. Per Rosenthal, the driving force is Jon Daniels, the general manager of the Texas Rangers, who covets Arizona’s Justin Upton.
The Indians would send Cabrera to Arizona, getting a combination of players — starting pitcher Trevor Bauer continues to be in the mix, as do left-hander Patrick Corbin and Texas infielder Mike Olt. The fourth team, currently the Seattle Mariners, would give up prospects of their own and receiver Texas pitcher (and Newark, OH native) Derek Holland.
The Mariners are reportedly unsure about the deal, which could lead to yet another fourth team being placed into the mix if the trade is to be consummated.
Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti has spent much of this offseason looking for contingency plans at shortstop, acquiring veteran Mike Aviles and talking with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the young speedster Dee Gordon. A two-time All-Star at a notoriously shallow position, Cabrera continues to be one of the team’s best assets in the trading market.
[Related: Tribe At The Winter Meetings: Will They Add, Or Blow It Up?]
