Melky Cabrera could be playing ball in The Great White North next season…
The 28-year-old Dominican-born free-agent outfielder has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $16 million with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to ESPN sources. Finalization of the deal hinges on Cabrera passing a physical, according to the source.
“Melky will be a Blue Jay if all goes well,” the source told ESPN.
Cabrera, who leaves the San Francisco Giants, was suspended for 50 games without pay in August after testing positive for testosterone. At the time of his ban, Cabrera led the National League in hits and was second in batting average.
The All-Star Game MVP, Cabrera didn’t return to the eventual champion World Series champion Giants team following his suspension.
Toronto hasn’t reached the playoffs since winning its second straight World Series in 1993. After going 73-89 this year, the Blue Jays have made quite a splash in the offseason.
Cabrera’s signing would be another big move for the Blue Jays, who earlier this week agreed to an epic trade with the Miami Marlins that will bring them shortstop Jose Reyes and pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle. The deal is pending MLB‘s approval.
Cabrera hit 11 home runs with 60 RBIs in his lone year with San Francisco. He hit .305 with 18 homers and 87 RBIs the previous season with the Kansas City Royals, then was traded to the Giants.
Cabrera made his major league debut in 2005 with the New York Yankees and stayed with them until being traded to Atlanta after the 2009 season.