Viciedo's days numbered as White Sox welcome Cabrera
So who is next for the White Sox?
Max Scherzer?
James Shields?
Evan Longoria?
In reality, the answer is no on all three star players. But the Sox are showing anything is possible this off-season, so don't be shocked if they continue stockpiling talent.
After acquiring top-end starting right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija in a trade from Oakland, signing free-agent closer David Robertson to a four-year, $46 million contract and dealing for left-handed reliever Dan Jennings last week at the winter meetings, the White Sox' roster appeared to be complete.
In November, the Sox signed two more free agents - designated hitter/first baseman Adam LaRoche and left-handed reliever Zach Duke.
Late Saturday night, multiple outlets reported the White Sox signed free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera to a three-year, $42 million contract. Bruce Levine of WSCR 670-AM first broke the news.
The signing won't be officially announced until the 30-year-old Cabrera passes a physical. Last season, he fractured his right pinkie finger diving back to first base in a Sept. 5 game against the Red Sox and was done for the year.
There is no doubt Cabrera fills a big hole for the Sox in left field, and the signing also means Dayan Viciedo is very likely to be traded.
Cabrera put together a .301./.351/.458 hitting line along with 16 home runs and 73 RBI with the Toronto Blue Jays last season.
He is also known for being suspended for 50 games after testing positive for testosterone in August of 2012.
Playing for the Giants that season, Cabrera was batting .346 with 11 homers and 69 RBI when he was suspended. He sat out the final 45 games and the first five games of 2013, which he spent with Toronto after joining the Jays as a free agent.
"My positive test was the result of my use of a substance I should not have used," Cabrera said in a statement after first being suspended. "I accept my suspension under the Joint Drug Program and I will try to move on with my life. I am deeply sorry for my mistake and I apologize to my teammates, to the San Francisco Giants organization and to the fans for letting them down."
The White Sox obviously feel Cabrera has paid for his mistake, and now they have a proven No. 2 hitter.
Cabrera, a switch-hitter who broke in with the Yankees in 2005, has a lifetime .286/.339/.415 slash line.
As for Viciedo, who had a .231/.281/.405 line and 21 homers and 58 RBI last season, he should be in a new uniform soon.
In early November, White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson weighed in on Viciedo.
"You watch him on a daily basis and you know what he's capable of doing," Steverson said. "You know, .230 or whatever he hit this year, in my opinion, that's not him. He has ability to hit for average and obviously has the ability to hit for power to all fields.
"His gifts from this year have been well chronicled, and he's got to take that by the horn. If he can heal parts of his discipline issue, I think the numbers will rise based on that factor."
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