Chicago White Sox: Jose Abreu wants to end career in Chicago
Despite being an attractive trade chip for the Chicago White Sox, first baseman Jose Abreu says he wants to remain with the franchise for the rest of his career.
Despite being in the midst of their rebuild, there was hope for the Chicago White Sox coming into the 2018 campaign. With the Royals and Tigers in rebuild mode, and the Indians seemingly at the end of their window of contention, there was an opportunity for the White Sox to make a move up the AL Central standings.
Instead, the White Sox season has been a disappointment, even in terms of a rebuilding team. At 9-26 heading into Sunday’s action, they have the worst record in baseball, trailing even the woeful Reds. Once again, Chicago seems destined to be a seller at the trade deadline, looking to flip whatever assets they have left for pieces to help in the future.
Naturally, one of those pieces that will come up in trade rumors is first baseman Jose Abreu. He has been a model of consistency since signing out of Cuba, producing a .301/.359/.524 batting line his his first four years, while hitting at least 25 homers and driving in 100 runs each season. Only Joe DiMaggio and Albert Pujols had reached that same level of productivity.
Understandably, Abreu would be an attractive trade chip. However, the White Sox first baseman is not looking to move on, even in the midst of the rebuild. For his part, he is hoping to remain in Chicago for the long term, wanting to stay with the franchise for the rest of his career.
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This may well be easier said than done. Abreu has just one more year of team control beyond this season, and is heading into his final year of arbitration. He is off to his typically solid start to the season, with a .285/.353/.496 batting line, hitting seven homers and eight doubles in his first 153 plate appearances. With one more trip through arbitration, he is likely to get a solid pay raise over the $13 million he is earning this season.
However, that cost may well be worth it for the White Sox. Abreu has embraced his role as a leader and mentor in the locker room, as he has helped teach the young roster how to be professional. With fellow countryman Yoan Moncada expected to be a key piece of the future, Abreu has been able to serve as a mentor. Even though the White Sox have yet to approach Abreu with an extension, his value to the franchise is obvious.
Abreu is also the type of player that, once teams feel they are ready to compete, franchises look to bring in. The Phillies did just that with Carlos Santana this offseason, signing him to a three year contract worth $60 million. Instead of overpaying for a future free agent, the White Sox could lock in a player they are already familiar with who commands the respect of the locker room. Not only would they retain a leader and mentor, but they would be able to fulfill his desire to remain with the franchise.
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The Chicago White Sox are going to face a tough decision with Jose Abreu. While his value to the franchise cannot be overstated, he is also an attractive trade chip for a rebuilding team looking for future stars.