The
MLB.com confirmed the 30-year-old Cabrera agreed to a deal worth an estimated $42 million to 43.5 million, pending a physical.
Cabrera does carry some baggage after being suspended for 50-games during the 2012 season with the
Cabrera's past will always be part of his resume, but as
The move gives the Sox some much-needed on-base percentage from the left field spot, and another table-setter to join Adam Eaton.
Between Adam La Roche, David Robertson and Cabrera, the Sox have now spent over $113 million on three key free agents while filling holes at DH, closer and left field. They also acquired A's starter Jeff Samardzija in a six-player deal. It's the biggest offseason since General Manager Rick Hahn took over, and indicates they're looking to win now, as Manager
“We were setting ourselves up to do something at this winter meetings,” he said, “The last couple years, there really were not a lot of opportunities. We had a couple trades, but nothing of this magnitude. So that's the part where you're changing the mood and the view of how people see it.”
The switch-hitting Cabrera, who began his major league career with the
Jon Lester set
The pitcher's contract calls for a $30 million signing bonus, of which $15 million is due by April 1, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press on Sunday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those details have not been announced.
The previous high for a signing bonus had been
Lester's upfront payment tops a mark set Dec. 8 by Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas.