REPORT: Jose Abreu Finalizing Deal With White Sox Worth $68 Million

Jose Abreu is the next best thing coming out of Cuba and he is one step away from becoming a Major League Baseball Player. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports Abreu will be signing a $68 Million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The contract will be for six-years with an annual salary of $11.33 Million. Abreu is represented by Praver Shapiro Sports Management. Yasiel Puig currently has the largest contract for an international free agent at seven-years $42 Million. Abreu’s contract is blowing that out of the water.

Abreu is being compared to a right-handed Barry Bonds. He contains raw power and is only 26 years of age. In just 66 games in 2010-2011 in Cuba, Abreu hit .453, 33 Home Runs and 93 RBI. The players in Cuba aren’t all as good as Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig but those two have transitioned very well to the Major League game. I don’t expect Abreu to disappoint.

Abreu going to the White Sox will put some pressure on Miguel Cabrera to be better than ever before. Having a known power hitter in his division will only push Cabrera to be better and we have seen that other Cuban players don’t take being outdone very well. I expect Abreu to come over to the Major League game and excel right away. He could end up breaking records if he stays on the pace he has been on in Cuba.

The only question mark for Abreu is team selection. Once he officially finalizes the deal he is apart of the White Sox. The White Sox weren’t very good in 2013 and I don’t see it getting much better in 2014. They have some good talent and Abreu will help them a ton but I don’t think it will be enough to get over the likes of Detroit, Cleveland or Kansas City. Watch out, the American League Central is going to become very interesting in 2014 and beyond.