The Chicago White Sox have been scouring the free agent market signing both Geovany Soto and Cody Asche to minor league deals. Both players don’t ooze with excitement, but have a good chance to make a difference on the 2017 White Sox.
The team has made another minor league move, this time signing former All Star shortstop Everth Cabrera.
Gerald Hernandez of La Prensa broke the news writing that Cabrera’s minor league deal includes an invitation to Spring Training. Hernandez reported that Rick Renteria was a main reason for Cabrera’s interest in the White Sox.
Cabrera spent seven seasons in the MLB, last appearing with the Orioles in 2015. In 510 major league games Cabrera hit .246 with 12 homeruns, 132 RBIs and 138 stolen bases. He was voted to the 2013 All Star game.
Like Soto and Asche, Cabrera was signed to a minor league deal. However he has a very good chance to break camp with the major league roster in 2017.
With the Sox, Cabrera will fill one of two roles.
He could be the team’s backup middle infielder replacing one of Tyler Saladino or Carlos Sanchez. Neither player has exactly been world beaters and Cabrera has proven he could succeed in the past. In a rebuilding year, it makes sense to give Cabrera a chance to prove his worth rather than using two below average players in Saladino and Sanchez.
The other option would be Cabrera outright starting at second base. Brett Lawrie is scheduled to be the starter, however he has struggled the past few seasons and doesn’t offer the White Sox much production. The team could look to trade Lawrie, or use him in a utility role giving Cabrera a shot to regain his former star power.
It’s hard to gauge just how good Cabrera will be after he sat out an entire year. It’ll become more clear once his role is figured out.
What is known is that Everth Cabrera is a former All Star who has proven to be a lethal threat on the base paths. While he may not be the player he used to, it doesn’t hurt for the White Sox to take a chance on him.
Adding Everth Cabrera won’t turn any heads, but as the team rebuilds he could become a nice bounce-back candidate for the Chicago White Sox in 2017.
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