The Mariners signed veteran slugger Nelson Cruz to a four-year, $57 million contract this week, but general manager Jack Zduriencik is still looking for ways to improve his lineup. We heard last night that free agent outfielder Melky Cabrera is on their radar and CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman has some details on what a potential offer from Seattle might look like:
The 30-year-old Cabrera is nearly four years younger than Cruz and he’s coming off a strong season in his own right, so it’s possible someone will give him that fifth year. But the AAV (average annual value) sounds about right.
The Mariners are also scouring the trade market for another bat. Recent reports have connected them to Matt Kemp of the Dodgers, Justin Upton and Evan Gattis from the Braves, and Yoenis Cespedes of the Red Sox, among others.