Washington Nationals: Top Five All-Time Non-Waiver Trades
By Ricky Keeler
July 31, 2014 – Asdrubal Cabrera
Right before the 2014 trade deadline, the Washington Nationals were looking for infield help since third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had to go on the disabled list because of a hamstring injury.
With Anthony Rendon having to move over to third base from left base, the Nats needed another middle infielder. At the deadline, they acquired Asdrubal Cabrera from the Cleveland Indians for prospect Zach Walters. Cabrera was hitting .246 with nine home runs and 40 RBI’s in 97 games before the trade.
Cabrera played in 49 games for the Washington Nationals and hit .229 with five home runs and 21 RBI’s, but his additions helped the Nats clinch the NL East title. Heading into the trade deadline two years ago, the Nats were in first and 1.5 games ahead of the Braves. In the end, they won the division by 17 games.
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While Cabrera ended up being a rental for the Washington Nationals as he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2015, it was the upgrade in the infield that the team needed, even though Cabrera hadn’t played second for the Indians since 2009.
As for Walters, he is currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and has a career .176 batting average in the Major Leagues. It was also the second deal that Walters was a part of as he was dealt from Arizona to the Nats in July 2011 for pitcher Jason Marquis. Marquis ended up only pitching three games for the Diamondbacks that season.
Next: Number 2