CINCINNATI - The Phillies have acquired the proven infield bat that they have been looking for, picking up veteran Asdrubal Cabrera in a trade Friday with the New York Mets, according to a source. The Mets got right-handed pitching prospect Franklyn Kilome in the deal.
Cabrera, 32, is a switch-hitter who has been the Mets' primary second baseman this season. He was hitting .277 with 18 homers, 58 RBIs and a .817 in 98 games this season.
Cabrera can play second, third and shortstop. He played 45 games at shortstop last season and was the Mets' regular at the position in 2016.
It was not immediately clear how the Phillies would use Cabrera, but the team was looking to upgrade its offense at shortstop. Scott Kingery has been playing the position. Back in spring training, Kingery was projected to be a wild card off the bench. Playing Cabrera at shortstop would allow the Phillies to use Kingery in that role.
Kilome, 23, had a 4.24 ERA in 19 starts at Double A Reading this season.
