White Sox and outfielder Melky Cabrera agree to terms on three-year, $42-million contract

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox and switch-hitting outfielder Melky Cabrera have agreed to terms on a three-year, $42-million contract. Under terms of the deal, Cabrera will receive $13 million in 2015, $14 million in 2016 and $15 million in 2017.

Cabrera, 30, batted .301 (171-568) with 35 doubles, 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 81 runs scored, 54 extra-base hits and a .351 on-base percentage last season with Toronto. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Cabrera ranked ninth in the American League in average, tied for 10th in doubles and 18th in on-base percentage. His .310 (129-426) average vs. right-handed pitchers ranked seventh in the AL.

"Melky provides us with a professional hitter, who reaches base on a consistent basis," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "We think he slides into Robin's batting order perfectly and adds depth to a very versatile lineup. We are very excited about his addition to our roster."

Cabrera is a career .286 (1,262-4,410) hitter with 236 doubles, 88 home runs, 520 RBI, 606 runs scored, 92 stolen bases and a .339 on-base percentage in 1,211 games over 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Yankees (2005-09), Atlanta (2010), Kansas City (2011), San Francisco (2012) and the Blue Jays (2013-14). He ranks seventh in the major leagues since 2011 with a .309 (627-2,029) average and fourth among major-league outfielders since 2006 with 82 assists.

Cabrera's most productive season came with the Royals in 2011 when he batted .305 (201-658) and set career highs with 44 doubles, 18 home runs, 87 RBI, 309 total bases and 20 stolen bases. He hit a career-high .346 (159-459) with the Giants in 2012 and was named Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Game in Kansas City.

Cabrera appeared in 22 postseason games with the Yankees (2006-07, '09) and Braves (2010), winning a World Series title in 2009. He and White Sox closer David Robertson were teammates with the Yankees in 2008-09.

Cabrera is a career .336 (46-137) hitter with 10 doubles, seven home runs, 24 RBI and a .957 OPS in 34 career games at U.S. Cellular Field.

A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Cabrera originally was signed by the Yankees as a free agent on November 13, 2001.

With the move, the White Sox 40-man roster is at 40.