Chicago White Sox, Melky Cabrera Reach Agreement on three-year deal

The Chicago White Sox and free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera have reached an agreement on a three-year deal reportedly worth $45million, pending a physical. Cabrera rejected a qualifying offer earlier this offseason form Toronto and the Blue Jays will receive a compensation pick at the end of the 2015 MLB draft. For the White Sox that means surrendering their third round selection. The Blue Jays eight overall pick is protected and they gave up their second round pick already when they signed David Robertson.

The signing is somewhat surprising as many media outlets were reporting the Seattle Mariners were seen as the favorite to sign the 30 year old switch hitter, but Cabrera chose the White Sox.

Cabrera hit .301/.351/.458 in 568 at-bats in 2014 with Toronto. Cabrera has spent most of the past three seasons in left field, where he’ll presumably line up for the White Sox.

His best season was in 2012 when Cabrera was the All-Star Game MVP and was leading the NL with a .346 average in mid-August while posting a .390 OBP. However I positive test for PED’s leading to a 50 game suspension. MLB and the Player Union agreed to disqualify him form the batting title. He was left off the post season roster by the Giants as well.

After that season he signed a two year deal with Toronto worth $16 million.

Cabrera joins a lineup that already featured reigning AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu, and earlier in the offseason added veteran Adam LaRoche

The White Sox have been very busy this offseason. Signing LaRoche, David Robertson and Cabrera, the Sox have now spent over $113 million on three key free agents while filling holes at DH, closer and left field.