Report: Rays agree to deal with Asdrubal Cabrera

After spending most of their offseason dealing away veterans, the Tampa Bay Rays made a move Tuesday to acquire one. 

The Rays have reportedly agreed to a deal with middle infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, pending a physical, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. 

Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported that the contract is for one-year, valued in the $8 million range. 

Cabrera, who spent his first eight seasons with the Cleveland Indians before a deadline-day trade last season shipped him to the Washington Nationals, has produced consecutive sub-par offensive seasons after earning a pair of All-Star appearances in 2011 and 2012. 

The Indians deployed Cabrera primarily as a shortstop over the past five seasons but the 29-year-old saw 48 games at second base once acquired by the Nationals. 

Cabrera is expected to take over as the Rays starting second baseman, and Rosenthal notes that the deal could precede another in Tampa. Ben Zobrist has been rumored to be a trade candidate prior to Opening Day and the acquisition of Cabrera makes both him and shortstop Yunel Escobar more expendable. 

The Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals were all rumored to be interested in Cabrera.