Outfielder Melky Cabrera signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.
“Melky provides us with a professional hitter, who reaches base on a consistent basis,” said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. “We think he slides into Robin’s batting order perfectly and adds depth to a very versatile lineup. We are very excited about his addition to our roster.”
Cabrera will receive $13 million in 2015, $14 million in 2016 and $15 million in 2017.
He joins for New York Yankees teammate David Robertson, who signed a four-year deal last week to become the team’s closer, and will play one of the corner outfield positions. The White Sox also acquired right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija via trade from the Oakland Athletics and added two other relievers as they retool to keep pace with a pair of playoff teams in the division — the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Lions.
Cabrera, 30, had a .301 batting average with 35 doubles, 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, 81 runs scored, 54 extra-base hits and a .351 on-base percentage last season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cabrera served a 50-game suspension with the San Francisco Giants when in Aug. 2012 he tested positive for testosterone, a banned substance.
Cabrera is a career .286 hitter with a .339 on-base percentage in 1,211 games over 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Yankees (2005-09), Braves (2010), Royals (2011), Giants (2012) and Blue Jays (2013-14).