White Sox targeting Melky Cabrera

The White Sox are considering going after free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Cabrera, fresh off a two-year stint with Toronto, would provide a major boost to a Chicago lineup that found itself in the bottom half of the American League in nearly every major offensive category in 2014. The current starters at the corner outfield spots, Jordan Danks and Avisail Garcia, have just 883 career plate appearances to their name. Danks, who has split time between AAA and Chicago over the last 3 years, has posted an OPS of .782 with AAA Charlotte, but just a .629 OPS at the MLB level. Garcia, a former top 5 prospect in the Tigers' system, has posted slightly better numbers than Danks, and appears locked in to a starting spot.

Heyman goes on to note that along with the White Sox, Cabrera could potentially end up with the Mariners, Blue Jays, or Orioles, who could all pursue him. The Mariners would reunite Cabrera with close friend Robinson Cano, but the Mariners could be looking to trade for Justin Upton instead. The Orioles, currently in negotiations with Nick Markakis, could view Cabrera as a backup option if they can't come to terms with Markakis. The Jays on the other hand, may not be able to afford Cabrera after signing Russell Martin to a 5-year, $82 million deal on Monday.

Since 2011, Cabrera has posted a slash line of .309/.351/.458, good for a wRC+ of 122, according to Fangraphs. Cabrera is expected to land a multi-year deal this offseason, most likely worth an annual salary of at least $10 million a year. Cabrera is represented by Dominic Torres.