First baseman Jose Abreu has made it clear that he wants to stay with the White Sox through their rebuild, but the team might be shipping him off anyway.
According to FanRag Sports, the Sox are in “active talks” about Abreu with interested teams — including the Red Sox, who might be looking for help at first base with Mitch Moreland a free agent this offseason.
RELATED STORIES
Top White Sox prospect Eloy Jimenez raises the bar
White Sox announce 2018 spring-training schedule
The only problem for the Red Sox is they don’t have a lot of prospects to offer. Last year’s blockbuster trade with the Sox for Chris Sale depleted their farm system. Boston only has two prospects on MLB Pipeline’s top-100 list.
Despite the lack of currency, the Red Sox are still pursuing Abreu, whom they’ve always coveted.
The Red Sox, Brewers, Astros and Sox were the four finalists in the Abreu free-agent sweepstakes. He eventually signed a six-year, $68 million deal with the Sox in October 2013.
Abreu, 30, is under contract for two more seasons. He’s projected to make $17.9 million in 2018, his second year of arbitration, according to an MLB Trade Rumors projection, which is quite a hefty price tag for a rebuilding team.
General manager Rick Hahn answered in broad strokes in September when asked about where Abreu fits in the team’s rebuild.
“With any player on our current roster, we’re charged with assessing — both this offseason and very likely next, as well — how well any of them fit on our roster when our window to contend reopens,” Hahn said. “This assessment is based on numerous factors, including projected performance, age, cost, length of control, impact on the clubhouse and teammates, as well as how all of those compare to the attributes of alternatives available to us inside or outside the organization.”
Abreu was one of the Sox’ most productive hitters in 2017. He hit .304 with 33 home runs and 102 RBI.
The Sox announced Wednesday that Abreu is scheduled to appear at SoxFest, which will take place Jan. 26 to 28 at the Hilton Chicago.
Contributing: Daryl Van Schouwen
Follow me on Twitter @madkenney.
Email: mkenney@suntimes.com
