Tim Anderson is going to be the White Sox shortstop for a very long time. In the White Sox rebuild Anderson is one of the few players who is untouchable.
But beyond Anderson the White Sox middle infield depth is one of their weak points. The team has Brett Lawrie as their starting second baseman with Tyler Saladino and Carlos Sanchez as backups.
Saladino and Sanchez have been serviceable at best during their time in the league. They are nothing more than mediocre backups and will unlikely be with the team when they’re ready for their playoff push.
The 2016-17 offseason has been focused on acquiring prospects to add to their growing farm system. Perhaps the White Sox could look to add a veteran free agent shortstop in hopes that he proves his worth on a short term contract. If so, he could turn into another trade piece for the South Siders.
However the shortstop position is quite weak in this year’s free agent class. If Rick Hahn is looking to add a shortstop it seems likely that he will be with the team for the long haul.
Regardless of the White Sox plans at shortstop, it is clear that the team has a preference at the position.
Hernandez wrote that the MLB veteran is hoping that a team gives him another chance in the league. In response, Cabrera said:
“I hope it’s what God wants. I would like an invitation to spring training. There are possibilities with Washington and the White Sox. They are interested and my lawyer is handling that.”
Cabrera spent seven seasons in the MLB with the Padres and most recently the Orioles. He was out of the league in 2017. He has appeared in 510 major league games.
Cabrera has a career .246 batting average with a 12 homeruns, 132 RBIs and 138 stolen bases. He was named to the 2013 All Star Game. Cabrera also had the third most stolen bases in 2012 with 44.
Cabrera hasn’t seen his name in many, if any rumors this offseason. After not spending 2016 in the MLB, he has become an afterthought to major league teams. At 30 years old teams may want to take a chance on their younger players rather than taking a chance on Cabrera.
However as the White Sox rebuild, they are in a position to take a chance on a guy like Cabrera. If he could find his 2012-2013 form, he could either be a vital piece of the team or a vital trade piece.
He provides a veteran shortstop behind youngster Tim Anderson. He would likely need to get some seasoning in the minors, but he could end up being better than Saladino and Sanchez.
While Cabrera would add a potential speed threat to the bench, there are some negatives. For one, he was suspended for PEDS during his time in the MLB. More worrisome, in 2015 Cabrera appeared in 29 games with the Orioles. In those games he hit just .208 with four RBIs and two stolen bases. There’s a chance that Cabrera just doesn’t have it anymore.
Overall Cabrera would be an interesting addition by the White Sox. He hasn’t heard his name called this offseason and would be an under-the-radar signing.
Middle infield wasn’t expect to be a big part of the White Sox offseason, especially in free agency. Yet it appears that the White Sox have their eyes set on Everth Cabrera and the All Star shortstop could be on the move to the South Side in 2017.
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