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Mets to use Cabrera at 3B in attempt to widen trade market

Dale Zanine / USA TODAY Sports

Asdrubal Cabrera appears ready to make a change after all.

New York Mets manager Terry Collins confirmed to David Lennon of Newsday that Cabrera will get some work as a third baseman this month, with the idea of widening his potential trade market ahead of the July 31 deadline.

However, Collins added Thursday that the switch won't be made until second baseman Neil Walker returns from the disabled list, according to Zach Braziller of the New York Post. Walker is close to beginning a rehab assignment and could return to the big club on Monday, Newsday's Marc Carig reported Wednesday.

For his part, Cabrera - who balked at a position change only one month ago - told Lennon that he's willing to make the switch to the hot corner despite having very limited experience at the position.

Cabrera is a natural shortstop, and has spent the majority of his career playing that position while also logging another 228 games at second base. His major-league experience at third base consists of just 1 1/3 innings, way back on Aug. 8, 2007 - his major-league debut. In that game, Cabrera started at second for the Cleveland Indians but was moved to third defensively in the 12th inning; he successfully recorded an out on his only defensive chance at the position.

The 31-year-old Cabrera requested a trade in June after the Mets shifted him from shortstop to second, though he quickly retracted that demand a week later.

With the Mets sliding down the standings amid a tumultuous season, the possibility of Cabrera being dealt has grown in recent days. It was reported on Wednesday that Cabrera was one of three Mets infielders the Boston Red Sox were scouting as potential solutions to their ongoing third-base problems.

Cabrera's contract with the Mets contains an $8.5-million club option for 2018 that can be bought out for $2 million. He's earning $8.25 million this season.

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