CHICAGO (AP) — The new-look White Sox added another bat to their potent lineup on Tuesday, announcing a $42 million, three-year contract with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera.
The 30-year-old Cabrera will make $13 million next year, $14 million in 2016 and $15 million in the final season of the deal. The agreement also includes limited no-trade protection.
"Melky provides us with a professional hitter, who reaches base on a consistent basis," general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "We think he slides into (manager Robin Ventura's) batting order perfectly and adds depth to a very versatile lineup."
Cabrera hit .301 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs in 139 games with Toronto last season. He made his major league debut in 2005 with the New York Yankees and is a .286 career hitter with 88 homers and 520 RBIs in 1,211 games.
The busy White Sox already had a news conference scheduled for Tuesday to introduce offseason acquisitions Jeff Samardzija and David Robertson, and the team said Cabrera also will be available. Cabrera and Robertson were teammates with the Yankees when they won the World Series in 2009.
Cabrera also is a .336 hitter with seven homers and 24 RBIs in 34 career games at U.S. Cellular Field.
Chicago has been one of the majors' most active teams this offseason. Hahn strengthened Chicago's beleaguered bullpen by signing free agents Zach Duke ($15 million, three years) and Robertson ($46 million, four years). The White Sox also signed Adam LaRoche ($25 million, two years) to provide some lefty power for their lineup.
Samardzija was acquired in a trade with Oakland, giving Chicago another strong starting pitcher to pair with ace Chris Sale. The right-hander has made 33 starts and pitched more than 200 innings in each of the past two seasons.