The Washington Nations have acquired infielder Asdrubal Cabrera from the Cleveland Indians for shortstop Zach Walters.
Cabrera, 28, has played shortstop for the Indians since 2010, but played second base at the beginning of his MLB career. He will most likely take over for Danny Espinosa at second base to play alongside shortstop Ian Desmond.
Cabrera has batted just .246/.305/.386 with nine homers and 40 RBI this season, but would be a big upgrade from Espinosa’s .217/.283/.347 according to SB Nation. Espinosa will now hit against left-handed pitching so he can be most effective in the lineup.
Cabrera will be a free agent after this season. This deal comes a day after the Indians traded right-hander Justin Masterson to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfield prospect James Ramsey.
Walters, 24, is a former ninth round pick who has played most of the past two seasons with Triple-A Syracuse. This season he is batting .300/.358/.608 with 15 homers in 261 plate appearances according to MLB.com.
Walters has shown his versatility this season playing second base, third base, shortstop and left field in 32 games with the Nationals.