Melky Cabrera to White Sox: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Outfielder Melky Cabrera has agreed to terms with the Chicago White Sox on a three-year deal. The team announced the signing on Tuesday:

The news of Cabrera's signing was first passed along by Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM:

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman later reported the deal was for $42 million.

On Monday, Heyman also confirmed that Cabrera passed his physical and the deal is official. 

Cabrera, 30, played the last two seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays after bouncing from the New York Yankees to the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants in the prior four seasons.

During his time in Toronto, Cabrera played a total of 227 games and battled through injuries. Last season, Cabrera finished with a .301 batting average, .808 OPS, 16 home runs and 73 RBI. Thanks to his production, Dayn Perry of CBS Sports ranked him as the top free-agent outfielder:

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This past season, Cabrera batted .301/.351/.458 with 16 homers, and over the last four seasons he's put up an OPS+ of 124. Cabrera can play either outfield corner, and he still has a bit of speed on the bases. In the near-term he projects as a comfortably above-average bat. In a thin crop, that's enough to land him the top spot.

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Cabrera, who was suspended 50 games back in 2012 after testing positive for testosterone, had a productive 2014 campaign and increased his free-agent value in the process.

Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos and Cabrera did not initially agree on a price early in November, via Shi Davidi of SportsNet. Anthopoulos shared his thoughts on what Cabrera's side wanted, per Davidi:

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When you talk about making a push to sign a player, it takes two parties to come to an agreement. ... They still have a chance to circle back and get a deal done. That might be what occurs here. ...

... He wants a long-term deal, completely understandable, our expectation is that he’ll get one, we’re certainly willing to do that. If it gets done, at this point, too hard to say.

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Moving forward, Cabrera has a chance to be a solid piece for the White Sox and make a huge impact. He brings more power to the lineup and has proved he can be a consistent hitter when healthy.

In return for Cabrera's departure, Toronto receives a compensatory MLB draft pick. The Jays made him a qualifying offer of $15.3 million, so the team still has a chance to add talent following the loss.

With the White Sox looking to make a run in their division this season, the addition of Cabrera helps lock in a good all-around player for the future. Coming off one of his best years in the majors, he will now look to continue that production in Chicago.

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