Chicago White Sox trade Cabrera to Royals for two pitchers
Much like Chris Sale and Adam Eaton, Jose Quintana and Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, Anthony Swarzak and Dan Jennings, Melky Cabrera is in a better place now.
He's in a winning place.
A place - that by 2019 or more likely '20 - the Chicago White Sox hope to be. A place where playoff hopes are not only expected, they're attainable.
At this time a year ago, general manager Rick Hahn realized patching rosters together with veteran players year after year was not a smart formula for success. He reversed course and decided to rebuild.
The flurry of trades that actually started with veteran Zach Duke going to St. Louis last July 31 for injury-prone center fielder Charlie Tilson bogged down after Sale and Eaton were moved on consecutive days in December. But sending Cabrera to Kansas City on Sunday was Hahn's fifth trade since July 13, when Quintana was sent to the Chicago Cubs.
"We're pleased," Hahn said. "I don't want to say we're surprised. This was our mission. This is what we set out to do. This is what we felt was important for the long-term health of the organization. We had a plan.
"That said, you need to respond to the market. It's not always the easiest thing to get across the finish line."
The market for Sale, Eaton and Quintana was very good, bringing back young talent such as Yoan Moncada, Michael Kopech, Eloy Jimenez, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito and Dylan Cease.
Cabrera's return from the Royals is two minor-league pitchers - A.J. Puckett and Andre Davis.
Puckett was Kansas City's No. 13 prospect, according to MLB.com. The 22-year-old righty was 9-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 20 starts with high Class A Wilmington.
A Carolina League all-star, Puckett was 3-0 with a 2.91 ERA in his last 5 starts. The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder was the Royals' second-round pick in 2016 out of Pepperdine.
"Strong pitchability, three-pitch mix, commands the ball both sides of the plate, clean delivery," Hahn said. "He's a guy that's good to add to our mix of young arms. He is the type of guy who could conceivably come up quickly."
Davis, a 23-year-old lefty, was 5-4 with a 4.83 ERA in 18 starts with low Class A Lexington. The 6-6, 230-pounder averaged 9.1 strikeouts per 9 innings.
Cabrera returns to the Royals, who are chasing the defending American League champion Cleveland Indians in the Central.
A very popular player for the White Sox over the past three seasons, the 32-year-old left fielder is batting .295 with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 56 RBI in 98 games this season. He also is tied for the major-league lead with 9 outfield assists.
"As I told Melky this morning, he has been outstanding for this organization since he put on this uniform, not only for his performance between the white lines but for what he did in the clubhouse," Hahn said. "He's a great ambassador for the game, a very enthusiastic, passionate player, and he'll be missed. That said, as we've made no secret about, this is about preparing ourselves for the future."
Cabrera has roughly $5 million remaining on his contract, which the Sox and Royals are splitting.
"Honestly, I wasn't expecting this because I love the city, I love the team," Cabrera said through a translator. "But at the same time you are seeing what's happening around the team with all the moves. Just try to block out all those things, but I knew it was a possibility for this to happen."
Cabrera played for Kansas City in 2011.
"I will go there and try to help the team win games," he said. "They acquired me for a reason. I hope to help them."
White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Guaranteed Rate Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet Monday and Wednesday; WGN Tuesday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The Sox's James Shields (2-3) vs. Marco Estrada (4-7) Monday at 7:10 p.m.; Mike Pelfrey (3-8) vs. Marcus Stroman (9-5) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; Derek Holland (5-10) vs. J.A. Happ (5-10) Wednesday at 1:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox won 2 of 3 at Toronto in mid-June. The Sox are 1-9 at home since July 2. The White Sox's rotation has a 5.85 ERA over the last 59 games with just 13 quality starts. Shields is 1-3 with a 7.94 ERA in 7 starts since returning from the disabled list. After two straight playoff appearances, the Blue Jays (49-56) are last in the AL East this season. Toronto first baseman Justin Smoak is third in the league with 29 home runs and fourth with 70 RBI.
Next: Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Thursday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor