The Mets have seen consistent interest in infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, with the Diamondbacks recently checking in, reports Buster Olney of ESPN.

However, I still expect him to get moved through waivers during August instead of before next week's non-waiver trade deadline. The fact is, Cabrera is earning decent money, he's been struggling since early June and there are several other options available for teams in need of an infielder.

According to a variety of reports, the Dodgers, Mariners, Red Sox, Indians, Brewers, Braves and Phillies have been the most aggressive teams in the markets for a second or third baseman.

In addition to scouting Cabrera, the above teams are probably also looking in to Brian Dozier and Eduardo Escobar (Twins), Whit Merrifield and Mike Moustakas (Royals), Starlin Castro (Marlins), Josh Harrison (Pirates), Jonathan Schoop (Orioles), and Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre (Rangers).

Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) would have been a popular target, but he's due roughly $10 million and has been on the DL since early May, while still not providing an indication of when he'll return to action.

A's infielder Jed Lowrie would also have been in the above group, but Oakland is on fire and just six games out of first place in the AL West. So for now, Lowrie is likely staying put, though he too could get moved through waivers if the A's fall out of contention.

Lastly, while the 32-year-old currently has 17 home runs and 21 doubles, most of those results are from April and May. Since then, he's batting just .250 with 11 extra base hits in 37 games. Worse, he's 1-for-16 with one RBI during his last four games and is still due roughly $4 million through the balance of this season, after which he'll be a free agent.

As a result, the only way I see Cabrera getting dealt before next week's non-waiver deadline is if a team offers to pay his remaining salary and gives up international slot money in the deal. Otherwise, it might make more sense to let the market condense, hope Cabrera begins to hit for power again and then deal him through waivers.

In either case, I don't expect the Mets to get much in return for Cabrera. Teams are clinging to their better prospects in an unprecedented way and, while they'll part with their better kids in deals for Brad Hand and Zack Wheeler, they're not going to overpay to get a player like Cabrera -- especially when less expensive, more productive infielders are currently available.

Matthew Cerrone (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Contact) is lead writer of MetsBlog.com, which he created in 2003. He also hosts the MetsBlog Podcast, which you can subscribe to here. His new book, The New York Mets Fans' Bucket List, details 44 things every Mets fan should experience during their lifetime. To check it out, click here!

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