MLB free agency: Orioles, Marlins, Pirates, Royals in on Melky Cabrera

The Orioles are looking at free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera as a “consideration for the lefty outfield spot,” according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

In addition to the Orioles, Heyman says the Marlins, Pirates and Royals are considering the 33-year-old Cabrera. All four teams are in desperate need of outfield help. The Orioles have a young outfield outside of Adam Jones, while Marlins, Pirates and Royals either traded their star outfielders (Marlins dealt Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna and Christian Yelich; Pirates traded Andrew McCutchen) or saw them sign with another club (Royals’ Lorenzo Cain signed with the Brewers).

For the Orioles, this is the second time they have been reportedly targeting Cabrera, as they also looked at him after the 2014 season. However, Cabrera went on to sign a three-year, $42 million contract with the White Sox.

A veteran of 13 major-league seasons, Cabrera spent 2017 playing for the White Sox and the Royals. He posted a .295/.336./.436 slash line with 13 home runs and 56 RBI in 98 games for Chicago before being traded to Kansas City on July 30. After reuniting with the Royals, who he played for in 2011, he struggled, slashing .269/.303/.399 with four homers and 29 RBI in 58 games.

Since 2014, Cabrera has made over 600 plate appearances in each season, proving that he has the durability and could step into the lineup if Trey Mancini or Joey Rickard get hurt.