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Washington Nationals: Top 10 MLB Trade Deadline moves of All-Time

By Blake Finney

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: General Manager Mike Rizzo (R) of the Washington Nationals talks to team owner Mark Lerner during batting practice before their game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on July 31, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 31: General Manager Mike Rizzo (R) of the Washington Nationals talks to team owner Mark Lerner during batting practice before their game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on July 31, 2014 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images) /
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Washington Nationals Asdrubal Caberera
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

8 – Washington Nationals add Asdrubal Cabrera (2014)

After missing the playoffs in 2013, the Washington Nationals were back atop the division in 2014. Heading to the deadline, they had a pretty gaping hole at second base with Danny Espinosa not quite cutting it.

Asdrubal Cabrera broke out with the Cleveland Indians in 2011 when he hit 25 home runs, stole 17 bases and contributed a 4.7 WAR. That year he garnered MVP votes, but in 2013 and 2014 he slumped back to his previous career levels.

The Nats took a shot on him as a pending free agent, hoping to rediscover the 2011-2012 version. It didn’t quite pay off the way they hoped, but they did at least get a useful player, and an upgrade over Espinosa.

For the Nationals, he hit .229, with five home runs, 21 RBI, and a .800 OPS. He also hit a big home run in game one of the NLDS with the Nats rallying late against the San Francisco Giants.

Cabrera only flashed brief moments of some of the defense that had him in gold glove consideration early in his career. Having to play at second base, with Ian Desmond locked in at shortstop, he was a below average defender there with a -1.0 dWAR.

The deal was just a straight swap for, at the time semi-promising prospect, Zach Walters. Primarily a third baseman, Anthony Rendon was blocking his path to regular playing time.

Walters played a bit-part role for the Indians in 2014 and 2015 but did not impress. Over those two years, he hit just .161 and put up a 51 wRC+, hitting way below what was expected.

So given the price they paid, it was a worthwhile gamble for the Nationals, hoping Cabrera returning to his old self, and he makes it onto the list.

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