Melky Cabrera is a free agent for the Orioles to pursue

Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

With Nelson Cruz most likely signing with another team for a 4-5 year deal, the Orioles will need to go shopping on the free agent market looking for a bat that will make up for the offensive production Cruz offered Baltimore in 2o14.

They may have an option lying in Toronto as Melky Cabrera is currently a free agent. Cabrera, who is 30 years old, will be going into his 11th season in the Majors and that 11th season may be with the Orioles.

In the past four years, Cabrera has been with three different teams (Royals, Giants and Blue Jays). In those years, he has molded himself into a consistent, reliable hitter.

• 2011: .305/.339/.470 with 18 home runs and 87 RBI
• 2012: .346/.390/.516 with 11 home runs and 60 RBI
• 2013: .279/.322/.360 with 3 home runs and 30 RBI
• 2014: .301/.351/.458 with 16 home runs and 73 RBI

As you can see, Cabrera has power in his bat and playing in Camden Yards would only increase that power being a hitter-friendly ballpark.

Owning a career .990 fielding percentage, 39 assists, and 8 double plays in left field, he could be the perfect fit for that hole in left field the Orioles currently have.

With Cabrera on the team, a possible lineup could look like this:

1. RF- Nick Markakis
2. LF- Melky Cabrera
3. CF- Adam Jones
4. 1B- Chris Davis
5. DH- Steve Pearce
6. 3B- Manny Machado
7. SS- J.J. Hardy
8. 2B- Jonathan Schoop
9. C- Matt Wieters

This lineup is the kind championship ball clubs possess. There is no beginning and no end. Everyone has power and everyone can get on base. As long as the Orioles are able to stay healthy throughout the 2015 season, signing Melky Cabrera could be just what the team needs to put them over the top.