Kansas City Royals, four others have interest in Melky Cabrera
By Aaron Somers
Interest in Melky Cabrera continues to increase, with the Kansas City Royals being the latest team to express an interest in the free agent outfielder. They join a mix that already includes the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, and Cincinnati Reds. The Chicago White Sox were rumored to have interest earlier in the offseason but that front has been quiet more recently.
CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports that the Royals have made contact with Cabrera’s agents, but he notes that the two are an unlikely fit. Kansas City is seeking an outfielder and an impact bat, but likely prefers to make such an addition on a more team-friendly contract. Cabrera, coming off a strong 2014 season, is said to be looking for a five year deal at a dollar figure that’s presumably out of the Royals’ price range.
The fit could have made some sense on a number of levels, though.
Cabrera can hit from both sides of the plate, can play all three outfield positions, and just turned 30 this past August. He’d lengthen the lineup, add some highly-valued defensive versatility to a club that puts an emphasis on roster flexibility, and he’s still young enough that he could help the team compete for another postseason run in 2015. Cabrera has also played in Kansas City before, let’s not forget, putting up one of the best seasons of his career: .305/.339/.470 in 706 plate appearances with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, and 20 stolen bases.
Kansas City likely needs to add someone who can handle playing right field, as there’s no reason to move Alex Gordon from left or Lorenzo Cain from center. Nori Aoki remains a possibility, but the team showed little intention of re-signing him when the offseason started. The Royals have also watched Billy Butler depart via free agency already, heightening the need to add a bat.
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The team had pursued Torii Hunter before he signed with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Cabrera doesn’t quite seem like a likely alternative.
There are obstacles for any of these teams in offering Cabrera a long term deal, of course. Toronto has been aggressive this offseason and would seem to have a need for two outfielders. The Mariners just made two big expenditures, re-signing Kyle Seager and bringing in Nelson Cruz. The Orioles just lost Cruz and appear likely to lose Nick Markakis. Cincinnati is also in the market for at least one outfielder, but has a number of pitchers to consider signing first and has been rumored to be shopping Jay Bruce. There are plenty of obstacles that still remain before Cabrera finds what he’s looking for.