The Chicago White Sox continued their active offseason late on Saturday and added an outfielder on a three-year deal. Chicago has acquired two bullpen arms, a starting pitcher and a designated hitter as well over the past month.
According to Bruce Levine of Chicago sports talk station WSCR 670-AM, the White Sox have agreed to a three-year contract with outfielder Melky Cabrera, pending a physical. Neither the team nor Cabrera's agent have commented yet, but it's believed the deal is worth around $45 million.
MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez has confirmed the deal as well and noted it's estimated at $42 million to $43.5 million.
The Seattle Mariners made a contract offer to Cabrera on Friday and it was also believed to be a three-year deal, but the switch-hitter apparently opted to join the White Sox. The financial details of the Mariners' contract offer were not disclosed. Chicago's acquisition of Cabrera will now heat up speculation of the team possibly trading outfielder Dayan Viciedo for a relief pitcher. Interestingly enough, their trade partner might be the Mariners.
It looks like Cabrera will be joining Adam Eaton and Avisail Garcia in the outfield if the White Sox were to trade Viciedo. The switch-hitting Cabrera is coming off of a two-year, $16 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays during which he batted .293/.340/.421 with 19 home runs and 103 RBIs in 227 games.
In addition to this most recent acquisition, the White Sox traded for Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija last week, who will now be the staff's No. 2 behind ace Chris Sale. On the same day they snagged closer David Robertson on a four-year, $46 million contract. They also signed designated hitter Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25 million deal and left-handed reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract earlier in the offseason.
The AL Central division should be one of the most competitive in 2015 now that the White Sox have bolstered their roster. They'll look to add their first division title since 2008 as they battle the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins.
UPDATE: Cabrera's deal is for three years and $42 million.
