Feb. 26--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- On a night in November during the baseball general managers meetings, as discouraging messages from agents and other clubs trickled in, Rick Hahn doubted whether the White Sox's offseason plans would come together.
Outfielder Melky Cabrera was among the targets that seemed increasingly uncertain to the Sox general manager.
"He really wanted to win but (said), 'With all due respect, are you guys really in a position to win, and am I really a difference maker for you?'" Hahn said this week at spring training. "We had conversations like this, so I remember sitting in my room saying, 'I'm not sure this will come together the way we envision it. We have to start thinking about some contingencies here.'"
Fast forward three months, and Cabrera was in a Sox uniform Wednesday for the second full-squad workout at Camelback Ranch, talking about how happy he is to be with a team he thinks can win.
The Sox's plans fell in place, and after starter Jeff Samardzija and closer David Robertson were on board, the Sox and Cabrera made their deal. The three-year, $42 million contract helped. So did the fact Cabrera's wife is in love with Chicago.
"There were many teams that wanted me, but it was a decision that I made with my family and this is the place we wanted to be," Cabrera said Wednesday through a team interpreter. "When I first saw the trade of Samardzija and the signing of Robertson and the other guys, I told myself I have to be there. It was very exciting for me to sign with the team."
The Sox are excited to welcome someone manager Robin Ventura calls "a professional-type hitter," who last season hit .301 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs. Cabrera likely will start slotted in the No. 2 hole between Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu, a grouping that pleases him.
"I feel happy because I have the opportunity to hit in front of (Abreu), and in the clubhouse we're seated along with each other and that is good," Cabrera said. "We have some guys in front of him -- me, Eaton -- and behind him who can do the job."
Cabrera and Eaton, ticketed for left and center fields respectively, spoke Tuesday about developing a relationship as the 1-2 hitters, something Cabrera called "a process." Eaton thinks Cabrera's easy-going approach will help.
"One- and two-hole stirs the drink," Eaton said. "It gets things going. ... I want to build that relationship with Melky. I want to be able to look at him and him think, 'I can take a pitch here, so you can steal a bag' or 'Hey, let's hit and run here.' That's only going to benefit the team."
Sox manager Robin Ventura hopes Cabrera also can develop a different kind of relationship with right fielder Avisail Garcia, who Ventura thinks can benefit from Cabrera's experience.
"Avi is a big kid, and I think Melky can help him -- just his approach and the way he moves it around the field," Ventura said. "He does hit for average, puts it in play. ... Melky is the kind of guy, where he has been, that people followed."
Sympathy for Rose: Eaton has dealt with minor injuries over the years, so he can just imagine the challenges facing Bulls star Derrick Rose, who will undergo his third knee surgery since 2012.
"Mentally, I bet you it's very difficult," Eaton said. "You are getting a ton of heat from media and a ton of heat from your fan base. You are making a lot of money.
"Physically getting back from that is difficult on its own, but mentally being able to battle that day in and day out ... it's going to be key for him. ... It's difficult to lose an entire year but to do it three times, you have to feel for the guy."
Sox pitcher Jeff Samardzija expressed similar sympathy.
"It's tough, especially for the flak (Rose) catches on the back end when it's not his fault," Samardzija said. "That's a lot of weight on his shoulders. I feel for the guy."
Running game: A group of several players, coaches and front office members listened to instruction from new baserunning coach Vince Coleman on Wednesday.
"It's important getting a guy in there with that kind of knowledge, the baserunning as well as little tips of stealing bases and things like that," Ventura said. "It's valuable for our guys to hear that stuff. Having him here and doing that, we feel lucky."
ckane@tribpub.com
