Report: Orioles, Pirates among 4 teams considering Melky Cabrera
The Melk Man appears to be drawing some interest ahead of spring training.
At least four teams - the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates - are reportedly considering veteran free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
All four teams have some outfield holes Cabrera might be able to help fill. As a contact hitter who's routinely posted a solid on-base percentage with a lower strikeout rate - he's never struck out more than 94 times in a season - the switch-hitting Cabrera could easily be used in a corner outfield/designated hitter platoon, depending on pitching matchups.
That platoon role would appear to make the most sense in Baltimore, which already has a multitude of corner outfield types. The Pirates, Marlins, and Royals all have potential outfield openings following trades and free-agent defections this offseason.
Given that three of the interested teams are entering rebuilding phases, each could ask Cabrera to hold down a corner spot on a shorter-term contract with an eye toward flipping him for assets at the trade deadline.
Cabrera split his 2017 season between the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City, who acquired him in a July 30 trade. Across 156 total games, the 33-year-old hit .285/.324/.423 (99 OPS+) with 17 homers, 30 doubles, 85 RBIs, and 36 walks. Cabrera's numbers took a hit after the trade, though, as he slashed just .269/.303/.399 in 238 plate appearances for the Royals, compared to .295/.336/.436 over 428 PA's in Chicago.
The 13-year veteran is a career .286/.335/.418 hitter across 1,676 games with six teams.