Report: Indians interested in Mets' Cabrera

The Cleveland Indians appear to be eyeing infield help in the form of an old friend.

Cleveland has reportedly shown interest in New York Mets infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, who began his career with the club in 2007, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

While Crasnick reports that the Indians may be looking for a "bigger deal" than just Cabrera, adding the versatile Venezuelan - who can play multiple middle-infield positions - would be a boon for Terry Francona's club.

The Indians are still without All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis, who's on the disabled list with a lingering hamstring issue that's tested their infield depth. All-Star Jose Ramirez has bounced between third and second, with utility infielders Erik Gonzalez and Giovanny Urshela as bench options behind him; Cabrera would be an immediate upgrade on both Gonzalez and Urshela.

Cabrera, who requested a trade from the Mets in June only to retract that demand several days later, is a shortstop by trade but does have experience playing second. On Thursday, Mets manager Terry Collins revealed the 31-year-old will get some reps at third base - a position Cabrera's played just once in his 11-year career - in order to boost his trade value.

This season Cabrera's hitting .250/.333/.398 with nine homers and 29 RBIs while splitting time between shortstop and second. His contract contains a club option for 2018 that's valued at $8.5 million.

The Boston Red Sox have also reportedly scouted Cabrera with an eye towards him playing third base.

Cabrera spent his first seven-and-a-half big-league seasons in Cleveland, during which time he posted a .742 OPS, made two All-Star appearances, and won a Silver Slugger in 2011. In 2008, he recorded the third unassisted triple play in Indians history.