The Blue Jays are hopeful to retain Melky Cabrera and have opened preliminary discussions with his representatives at the Legacy Agency, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Toronto is said to be willing to offer “at least” a three-year contract, according to Heyman, though he’s spoken with some in the industry who expect Cabrera to pursue a five-year pact.
Two-thirds of the Blue Jays’ outfield is hitting the open market this winter, as center fielder Colby Rasmus is also eligible for free agency. However, Heyman says that there’s been no thought to bringing Rasmus back, and the team is instead focused on retaining the switch-hitting Cabrera at this time.
Cabrera struggled through the worst season of his career in 2013 before a benign tumor was found on his spine. Surgery to remove the tumor ended his season, and he bounced back in a big way this year, slashing .301/. 351/.458 with 16 homers in 139 games. Cabrera’s season did end early once again when he broke a pinkie finger on a headfirst slide.
Nonetheless, Cabrera has set himself up for what will easily be the largest payday of his career. However, a three-year pact seems highly unlikely get the job done, in my estimation. In my free agent profile for Cabrera two weeks ago, I pegged him for a five-year deal given his relative youth and status as one of the best bats on this year’s thin free agent market.
Cabrera has said that he wants to return to Toronto, so it’s possible that the Jays have some hope of getting a deal done before he hits the open market. If a deal is not reached by the time qualifying offers are due, the Blue Jays will make the $15.3MM QO, which Cabrera will almost certainly decline in search of that big payday.
They should just meet in the middle. 3 years/$42MM w/ a mutual option at $14MM and a $3MM club buyout
That is fair. I’d be willing to go up to 4/$52 with an option tacked on.
Good luck finding a 5 year deal after rejecting a QO Melky!
It works both ways the Jays can little afford to lose Melky’s offense and productivity in their line up. He may not find a 5 year guaranteed deal but with his numbers and the lack of quality offensive FA’s available 4 years won’t be a problem even with a QO attached to the player. If he signed a 3 year deal he’s selling himself short.
Do the right thing Jays offer the proven player a 5 yr 65mil deal!!!!
Proven player? I think 5/66 is the highest anyone is willing to go. Offering Melky that deal isn’t where you start negotiations.
Yes ..proven on or off drugs he’s the same player, and as Jose Bautista said he has talked to Melkey.. he’s enjoyed Toronto wants to stay so offer him what he’s worth up front to show a legit interest in him coming back then go from there no need to negotiate put the ball in his court right away so the fans know AA started with a strong offer.
Three Years is a little on the light side. I know Cabrera has expressed an interest in staying with the Jays but I have to think a contract at least similar to what Swisher or Gardner got is what it will take to keep him in Toronto: 4 years / $50MM plus with a 5th year option. Keep in mind Melky will play much of the 2015 season as only a 30 year old.
Keep in mind Melky has had a very inconsistent career and is just one year removed from being a sub-replacement player. I know the tumor played a roll but I still think many GM’s will be wary of spending big on Melky especially with a QO attached.
I’m not sure how you get he’s had a very inconsistent career. In his last 4 seasons he really had only one down year 2013. His stats in 2011, 2012 and 2014 are pretty consistent. Prior to 2011 you are basically talking about a young kid, who spent his time in the biggest “fish bowl” in MLB Yankees Stadium, who I will grant you may have had some maturity issues.
Lets see over his career Melky has had two 3+ WAR season (one of which included a PED suspension), three sub-replacement seasons, one 2-3 WAR season, two 1-2 WAR seasons and one replacement level season. Thats pretty inconsistent is you ask me.
Plus I must say I am still very skeptical of his 2011/2012 seasons, they were far and away his best season and were capped off by PED suspension.
I thought I explained the early part of his career in my previous comment. Besides I believe MLB and most GM’s have a what have you done for me lately mentality. And in my opinion Cabrera has performed pretty well in 3 of his last 4 years.
BTW, I wouldn’t put too much stock in the PED suspension holding him back. I think he proved in 2014 he’s got what it takes to perform at a high level without any outside help. Besides just look PED’s didn’t effect Peralta’s ability to get a very nice deal with the Cardinals OR Braun’s re-up with the Brewers.
In any case we won’t have long to find out what path Cabrera’s new contract takes.
Melky seems to be a nice guy and I wish him well. He’s 30 with his best OF days behind him. He’s made a lot of money and this is his chance for that last big contract.
Similar to Michael Bourns’ situation a few years ago. Whoever gives him the 4-5 years it will take to get him signed has to have a nice budget. I figure on a 5 year contract that at least 2 will be poor, probably due to injuries.
His situation is why farm systems are so important. A good one can bring up a player that can do at least 60-70% of what Melky can for 1/10th the cost over 4-5 years. I guess I’m stuck on that moneyball conversation that was here yesterday.
Can’t believe they are not contemplating bring back Colby! Probably get him cheap as I don’t think another team wants to put up with his prima donna attitude.
I bet you Pompey and Gose will approximate the value Rasmus put up. Don’t sleep on Pompey in particular. He has talent and decent peripherals.
And he’s getting better. Defensively he’s already elite. The power/speed combination is something to pay attention to.
2010 was his worst year. Trust me, I remember…
Many of these PED users have proven to be good players without steroids, Melky is a good player and he will be payed according. A- Rod seems to take the brunt of the PED problem while he was the first one to admit his use. It all has to do with the sacred records .
Middle-load the contract. Go 12/12/15/15/8. Guarantee $62m over 5 yrs. If the Jays don’t play meaningful playoff innings in ’15 or ’16, JBau, EE and Dickey are gone, payroll plummets and Melky remains as a serviceable switch-hitting DH with a tradeable contract in his 5th year. If he rejects this, no one should blame AA or Rogers. Not that I don’t really believe they’ll lowball him.
If Lind is traded then it isn’t hard to find a way to make Melky work as he could DH sometimes, be in LF sometimes, teach him 1B as well. 4-5 years is what it’ll probably take and AA mentioning he won’t go past 5 years suggests he will consider 5 at least. Should be interesting to see what happens.
Melky won’t see any action at 1B. That’s EE and JoeyBats position now.
I think he might struggle to get five years, given hes just turned the wrong side of 30, his QO status and the PED history.
Im thinking possibly 4 years with an club option or maybe even 3 with a mutual option.
If im Anthopolous i dont think id go further than 4/60 with an option.
I’d go 5 years plus club options. He’s a legit hitter. And his eye won’t lose it. Mid-load it so he’s tradeable, but give him a big payday.
Then focus on other fish: Pablo Sandoval and some BP arms.