‘RBI Machine’ Jose Abreu May Leave Chicago White Sox As A Free Agent

Right-handed hitting Jose Abreu has been very successful as the “face” of the Chicago White Sox franchise.

Abreu, who will turn 36 in January, has now entered free agency.

Abreu has played only for the White Sox since his arrival in the big leagues in 2014.

A three-time American League All Star, Abreu signed a 3-year, $50M contract with the White Sox in 2020. Now the club has to decide if they wish to make him a new contract offer, or allow him to walk out the door and sign with a new team.

About Jose Abreu:

When he was only 16, Abreu began playing in the Cuban Seire National, the top professional baseball league in Cuba.

In 2010-2011, at the age of 23, Abreu won the league’s MVP Award when he hit 33 home runs and drove in 93 runs for his Elefantes de Cienfuegos team.

Abreu was among a number of players that left Cuba in August 2013, and MLB declared him an international free agent.

Abreu worked out for teams in the Dominican Republic, and ultimately signed with the White Sox for $10M, a very hefty investment.

Remarkably, Abreu did not play minor league baseball for the White Sox. At the age of 27, he went directly from hitting .345 with 19 homers and 60 RBIs in 2012-2013, his last year with Cienfuegos in Cuba, to the parent White Sox club in 2014.

At 6-3, 235 pounds, Abreu provided the White Sox with the type of power hitter they needed in the middle of their lineup.

Abreu won the 2014 American League Rookie of the Year Award.

In nine seasons with the White Sox, Abreu hit .292/.354/.507/.860 in 5,506 plate appearances, covering 1,270 games.

Without question, Abreu was a team leader and mentor for others on the team.

An explosive hitter, Abreu has hit 243 home runs, and has driven in 863 runs. Not counting the shortened 2020 pandemic season, Jose Abreu has driven in at least 100 runs six times. His highest total was 123 in 2019.

With the exception of the pandemic year, he has hit at least 30 doubles every season.

The 2020 season may have been the best of Abreu’s career. It was a season with honors and awards.

He won the 2020 American League Hank Aaron Award, which honors the best hitter in each league.

Abreu was the American League Most Valuable Player in 2020. He was named as the first baseman on the All Major League Baseball Team that year.

In addition to his three All Star games, Abreu has won three prestigious Silver Slugger Awards.

Scouting Jose Abreu:

To this scout, Abreu has one of the smoothest, and most uncomplicated swings among big league power hitters. He keeps things simple.

As the picture above shows, Abreu never got caught up in using an upper-cut swing to get loft on the ball. Rather, he uses a very measured approach and thrives on finding the barrel of the bat with his strong wrists and hands. He lets the ball travel deeply into the zone and lets his strength prevail.

Abreu doesn’t have the greatest bat speed, but his upper body is so strong, he can power the ball and generate back spin and carry with his superb follow-through and extension.

Abreu thrives under pressure and with runners on base. He’s a very tough out, as he tracks the ball out of the hand of the pitcher and recognizes pitches quickly.

A patient hitter, Abreu makes good contact and takes advantage of his size and strength as the focal points of his approach.

Defensively, Abreu has been better than average at first base, but he won’t win a Gold Glove. He is capable and efficient.

Abreu is slow afoot, and his lack of speed is the weakest part of his game. But he more than makes up for being slow with his loud and dangerous bat.

The Market For Jose Abreu:

While Abreu continued to produce offensive results this past season, his home run total fell from 30 in 2021 to 15. His RBI total fell from 117 to 75. With 679 plate appearances, he went to the plate 20 more times this past season. However, he struck out less and walked more.

To this observer, his bat seemed a bit slower, especially in the first half of the season. However, his plate discipline continued to be superb, and he finished the season hitting .305. His offensive production would have been very welcomed by most hitters in baseball.

The White Sox have first base candidates in both right-handed hitting Andrew Vaughn and left-handed hitting Gavin Sheets. Sheets may have found a home in right field, but like Vaughn, he is a natural first baseman. The White Sox may think it is time for them to transition to Vaughn or Sheets at first base.

At his age, it isn’t likely any team will offer Abreu more than a two-year contract. Estimates of his annual value have been projected to be between $18-$20M.

To this writer, it does not appear the White Sox will make an offer to retain Abreu. That situation could certainly change.

Chicago Cubs:

Reports indicate the Chicago Cubs have great interest in signing Abreu.

This scout has been watching young Cubs prospect first baseman Matt Mervis in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitter has outstanding power, and he certainly would meet the Cubs need for a young, powerful, dynamic hitter in the middle of the lineup.

Abreu might be a great bridge if the Cubs feel Mervis, 24, isn’t deemed completely ready to take over first base for the Cubs.

As their roster stands in November, Fangraphs projects the Cubs to have a $130M payroll in 2023, or $16M less than this past season. Abreu may fit the team’s payroll needs.

Cleveland Guardians:

The Cleveland Guardians, who won the American League Central Division by 11 games over the White Sox, need a right-handed, power hitting first baseman.

Even though he is aging, Abreu fits the unmet Cleveland need.

Would the Guardians spend $18-20M for Abreu? Probably not. But he could be very impactful in a young lineup that needs an additional power bat to help All Star third baseman Jose Ramirez drive in runs.

Even with his home run total decreasing, Abreu fits the bill. He still drives in runs, and that’s what Cleveland needs.

The Guardians are projected to spend $72M on payroll next season. They have some arbitration eligible players that could inflate that figure. It is yet to be determined if Cleveland will add significant payroll to sign a free agent.

San Diego Padres:

The San Diego Padres have flirted with a deep postseason run, but they haven’t crossed the finish line.

The Padres have a solid rotation and good pitching, but they could use an impactful bat at first base. Like Cleveland, their offense shows promise, but they need a big bat to support Manny Machado and newly acquired Juan Soto.

It doesn’t appear that money is an issue for the Padres. A reasonable, short-term contract for Jose Abreu fits.

The Padres are projected to spend $187M on payroll next year, or $27M less than this season. Enter Abreu? It seems very possible.

Milwaukee Brewers:

Yes, the Brewers have Rowdy Tellez to play first base, but Abreu would add the additional power/RBI bat the team needs.

Frankly, Tellez and Abreu would make a good combination at first base/designated hitter, alternating at those two positions.

The Brewers have Tyrone Taylor and Garrett Mitchell poised to be in their starting lineup. For this writer, both could be in an outfield rotation for the Brewers at reasonable salaries, keeping the payroll low enough to afford Abreu.

As things stand now, the Brewers have an estimated payroll of $118M, down from this year’s $137M. Since they need an offensive jolt, Abreu may be a very good answer.

Seattle Mariners:

Incumbent first baseman Ty France is a versatile player. He can play several positions for the Mariners, moving elsewhere to accommodate Abreu.

The Mariners believe they are thisclose to going further and further in the postseason. Abreu can help them realize that goal.

They have an estimated 2023 payroll of $132M, leaving room for Abreu. He just makes sense to add the firepower and RBI bat the Mariners need to move further.

Conclusions:

It would appear the Chicago White Sox are preparing to part ways with “RBI machine”Jose Abreu.

Guys with a history of driving in runs like Abreu don’t come around very often.

Abreu is an aging star, but he still has enough firepower in his bat to attract a team needing offense. Several clubs could use his bat at first base.

To this observer, it would appear the Chicago White Sox cross-town rival, the Chicago Cubs, may make the most compelling offer to obtain the services of Jose Abreu.