Melky Cabrera rebounded from a tumultuous 2013 marred by steroid scandals to post All-Star numbers in 2014. Despite his production, Cabrera will most likely be searching for a new home this offseason.
Signing of Russell Martin likely takes TOR out of a major deal w/Melky Cabrera. Lose a pick signing Martin, gain 1 if Melky signs elsewhere.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 17, 2014
Cabrera hit .301 last season with 16 home runs and 73 RBI along with 86 runs. The Blue Jays may be strapped for the necessary cash to retain him though after lavishing $82 million on free agent catcher Russell Martin.
If the Jays can't find a lower-priced replacement on the free agent market, or convince Cabrera to return for a discount, they will be expected to roll with Andy Dirks in left field and prospect Dalton Pompey in center.
The Seattle Mariners are reportedly interested in Cabrera, along with power-hitting Nelson Cruz. The Mariners made the offseason's biggest move in 2013 when they inked former Yankee Robinson Cano to a mammoth 10-year, $250 million deal that did pay off in Year 1.
The M's nearly made the playoffs with a sterling starting pitching staff and Cano anchoring the lineup. Now the priority is to acquire protection in the lineup for Cano, who was intentionally walked 20 times, fourth most in the major leagues despite hitting just 14 home runs.
The only players walked intentionally were Detroit's Victor Martinez, Miami's Giancarlo Stanton, and Boston's David Ortiz. All three of those hitters hit 32 or more home runs.
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