Baseball Notes: Cabrera, White Sox agree on 3-year deal

The Chicago White Sox's stealth pursuit of free agent Melky Cabrera paid off when the former Blue Jays outfielder agreed to a three-year deal.

MLB.com confirmed Sunday that the 30-year-old Cabrera agreed to a deal worth an estimated $42 million to $43.5 million, pending a physical.

The move gives the Sox some much-needed on-base percentage from the left-field spot, and another table-setter to join Adam Eaton. They have been in discussions with the Mariners on Dayan Viciedo, who also had pursued Cabrera. The signing suggests Viciedo is all but gone in a trade, whether it's the Mariners or some other AL team.

With Adam La Roche, David Robertson, and Cabrera, the Sox have spent more than $113 million on three key free agents while filling holes at DH, closer, and left field. They also acquired A's starter Jeff Samardzija in a six-player deal. It's the biggest offseason since general manager Rick Hahn took over and indicates they're looking to win now, as manager Robin Ventura reiterated at the winter meetings.

Jon Lester set Major League Baseball records for largest signing bonus and biggest up-front payment with his $155 million, seven-year deal with the Chicago Cubs.