SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Activated from the disabled list and inserted into the New York Mets’ starting lineup at second base rather than shortstop, Asdrubal Cabrera said he wants to be traded.
The 31-year-old, a two-time All-Star and a veteran of 11 big league seasons, had not started at second since Sept. 28, 2014. The Mets started Jose Reyes at shortstop against San Francisco on Friday night and Wilmer Flores at third.
“I am not happy about it,” Cabrera said after meeting with manager Terry Collins and general manager Sandy Alderson. “I got to do my job, no matter what position, try to help my team, my teammates. I have to help them, help my team. I am just playing for my guys, my players, my teammates, I am going to do my 100 percent.”
Cabrera agreed ahead of the 2016 season to a two-year contract with $8.25 million annual salaries and an $8.25 million club option for 2018 with a $2 million buyout. He said he would withdraw his trade request if the Mets exercise the option.
New York entered a series against San Francisco with seven losses in eight games. Cabrera had not played since June 12 because of a sprained left thumb and said he wasn’t given time to prepare for the move to second base while he was on an injury rehabilitation assignment at Class A St. Lucie.