KANSAS CITY -- Outfielder Melky Cabrera has 67 games remaining during his time with the White Sox or so it appears.
That time frame represents what's left on Cabrera's three-year, $42-million deal agreed upon with the team prior to the 2015 season. With the White Sox currently in full-fledged rebuild, Cabrera's stay in Chicago could wind up shorter if a contending team pursues the valuable veteran before the non-waiver Trade Deadline on July 31 or even in August.
But the soon-to-be 33-year-old Cabrera doesn't want to leave the White Sox -- not now or even after his contract expires.
"I would like to finish the season here. I like Chicago," Cabrera said through interpreter Billy Russo prior to Sunday's game against the Royals. "I like this team and I would like to stay here for a long time, not just until the end of the season. But I don't have control of those decisions."
Cabrera entered Sunday hitting .355 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs and 24 runs scored over his last 37 games. He has a .343 average with 11 homers and 37 RBIs over his last 51.
Todd Frazier expressed the same sort of sentiment to stay longer term with the White Sox, even with 2018 figuring to be more about development, and postseason contention possibly not arriving until '20. The third baseman was sent to the Yankees on Tuesday as part of a seven-player deal, but the White Sox also had Major League ready options behind Frazier in Matt Davidson, Yolmer Sanchez and Tyler Saladino.
The White Sox also knew Yoan Moncada was ready to jump from Triple-A Charlotte to everyday work at second base. Where the outfield is concerned, the White Sox have Avisail Garcia, Adam Engel, Alen Hanson, Jacob May, Willy Garcia and potentially Nicky Delmonico in the picture for '18, so Cabrera could in theory make sense to stick around.
Not only is the switch-hitter a potent force with the bat, but he's also tied for the Major League lead with eight outfield assists. These numbers don't factor in Cabrera's clubhouse leadership.
"If they asked me to do it, I would like to do it," Cabrera said. "Like I said before, I don't have control about that. That's all in their hands, and we'll see. I would like to stay here."
When asked why he would want to stay with the White Sox, Cabrera responded with "the treatment."
"They have treated me very good," Cabrera said. "I know that we have very good players here and I just want to stay here for the rest of my career."