Pittsburgh Pirates add more outfield depth with Melky Cabrera
By David Hill
The Pittsburgh Pirates have continued to add depth to their roster, signing Melky Cabrera to a minor league contract.
Over the course of the offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates have focused their efforts on adding depth to their outfield. Lonnie Chisenhall was given a major league contract, signing for $2.75 million on a one year deal. JB Shuck and Patrick Kivlehan have been brought in on minor league deals, likely to serve as depth pieces in AAA, unless they are needed at the major league level.
That focus on building outfield depth has continued. According to reports, the Pirates have signed former All Star Melky Cabrera to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera in agreement with #Pirates on a minor-league contract, sources tell me and @RobBiertempfel.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 10, 2019
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An All Star back in 2012, Cabrera’s days as a regular presence in the lineup are likely in the past. He settled into a reserve role with the Indians last season, producing a respectable .280/.335/.420 batting line, with six homers and 17 doubles, over his 278 plate appearances. However, Cabrera was not exactly great in the outfield, costing the Indians a run while showing below average range.
Should he make the Pirates out of Spring Training, Cabrera is likely to return to that fourth or fifth outfielder role that he held with Cleveland last season. At 34 years old, he still has the ability to be a solid bench option offensively, while serving as a pinch hitting option.
Yet, that path to playing time in Pittsburgh is questionable. Cabrera no longer has the range for center, while both corner outfield spots are occupied by Corey Dickerson and Gregory Polanco respectively. Chisenhall is currently penciled in as the backup at all three outfield spots, with Pablo Reyes as the probable fifth outfielder. It may take an injury or a lack of production from one of the bench options for Cabrera to see time in the majors in 2019.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have added a solid depth piece in Melky Cabrera. Even though his path to playing time appears blocked, he is a great option to stash in AAA just in case of an emergency.