Jose Abreu and the White Sox have been in talks about a long-term deal, and there’s still a chance such a pact could be reached before today’s 4pm CT qualifying offer deadline. As per 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine (Twitter link), Abreu is deciding between accepting the one-year, $17.8MM qualifying offer or inking a new three-year contract with Chicago.
Abreu has made no secret of his desire to remain with the White Sox, and there has also been quite a bit of mutual interest on the team’s side as well, with GM Rick Hahn often praising Abreu’s importance as a clubhouse leader, not to mention his strong performance on the field. That performance, however, has taken a step backwards in 2018-19 — Abreu hit .301/.359/.524 over his first four seasons in the big leagues, though only .275/.328/.490 in 1246 plate appearances over the last two seasons.
Between this semi-decline and the fact that Abreu turns 33 in January, a three-year pact would be quite a healthy amount of security, especially given the diminished state of the first base/DH market in recent years. Daniel Murphy’s two-year deal with the Rockies last winter was the only multi-year contract given to a player projected to spend a lot of time at first base (it should be noted that DJ LeMahieu ended up playing a lot of first base for the Yankees, though LeMahieu also only signed a two-year deal). In fact, even a three-year commitment is a rarity no matter the position, as only 14 players total signed a free agent deal of three or more years last winter.
The Marlins are known to have interest in Abreu already, and other teams like the Brewers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Nationals, or Twins could also be in need of first base help. But those clubs would all be required to surrender a draft pick (or two in Boston’s case, for surpassing the luxury tax threshold) and some international bonus pool money to sign Abreu if he turned down the qualifying offer and signed elsewhere. The QO could therefore potentially be a draft on his market, as it has been for such sluggers as Kendrys Morales and Nelson Cruz in recent years.
Of course, it’s safe to assume that Chicago’s three-year offer has an average annual value of much less than $17.8MM per year. Abreu could lock in a bigger single-season payday by accepting the qualifying offer now, and then he could potentially test free agency again next winter unencumbered since player are only eligible to receive one QO. Accepting the qualifying offer now also wouldn’t prevent Abreu and his representatives from continuing to negotiate with the White Sox on a longer-term deal throughout the offseason.
Take the 3 year deal……
I think he’d be wise to take the 3 year extension. Anything can happen between now and the end of next year. Betting on yourself at 33 is risky, even if the annual number isn’t as high as the QO, I’d take the long term security.
Anything at 3 for 30 or higher and Jose should grab it
Why should he being he already would have 1 at 17.8… a deal of that would make little sense from his perspective. Add another 5m and possibly
Smart 93 Are you saying 23mm a year for 3 years?
No, 3 yrs/$35 million.
It must be a pretty low total $ deal if he’s even “considering” it as opposed to not just taking it. Because honestly he’s probably not going anywhere but Chicago given the fact that he’s a QO recipient. He’s still a very good hitter – as evidenced by his league leading 123 RBIs last year – but I highly doubt many teams are going to be willing to give up a draft pick and significant $ to sign any 1B/DH type let alone one who’s best days as a hitter are behind him. I do understand if he’s thinking about taking the QO and then reentering FA next season without the draft-pick compensation. Because if he has another season like his past one (33 HRs/123 RBIs) and doesn’t come with draft pick compensation — I think his market value would be greatly increased as a FA.
Hopefully Jose takes accepts the White Sox 3 year offer. Some players I just can’t see playing for another team and Jose is one of them. Get Jose signed to a deal. Then the front office can concentrate on further roster improvements. One less deal/signing to concern themselves with.
Agreed
I am guessing it’s like 3 years/$43.5M or something like that if he is weighing the 1-year $17.8M deal… or if they’re willing to pay him $17.8M for one year maybe that means they’re offering the Q.O. plus two heavily discounted seasons ($17.8M, $12.2M, $15M) and he thinks he could get equivalent money by betting on himself or going back to FA after 2020….
He should just take the deal.
I would guess more like 3 yrs/$36 million.
Good guess.
Guess will have to find out later.
Jose Abreu returning to the White Sox for at least the 2020 season is one of the offseasons’ biggest no-brainers. He either accepts the QO by 4pm CT today or signs a 2-3 year deal before or after that deadline.
The ideal scenario for the team might be him simply accepting the QO. That assures them of Abreu beginning the 2020 season in his accustomed role of middle of the order slugging 1B and mentor to the White Sox young core of latino players that will expand with the MLB debut of fellow Cuban Luis Robert. Having Abreu only locked in for 2020 would also give the White Sox one full season to monitor top 1B prospect Andrew Vaughn’s progress as a likely fast riser to his own MLB debut come 2021.
Abreu accepting the QO could also play to his advantage as well come next offseason when he can’t be tagged again. In that case he would be betting on himself to have another or even better 2020 season that what he produced last year. This might seem unrealistic considering his age but if the White Sox have a big offseason and can fill their RF and DH holes with other solid bats while also getting plus production out of their young studs and top rookie prospects in 2020 Abreu could very well put up the kind of monster numbers he produced in his own rookie season back in 2014 and nearly repeated in 2017.
Add the fact he’s had very little protection in the lineup. That’s not going to change much overnight, unless they add a big lefty bat … as has been rumored.
The White Sox will add a little more protection for Abreu with a signing along with Moncada starting to show his talent and Robert coming up sometime in 2020. We should expect another big year for Abreu.
If this is true, the Sox are making a mistake. 3 years is too long. But Bruce Levine is really not a good source for reliable Sox info.
I disagree on them making a mistake. The dropoff in his hitting is being exaggerated a little bit and I think he’ll tail off, but slowly. He’ll also provide value in terms of his leadership, which shouldn’t drop off at all. For the right price, three years is perfect.
Nelson Cruz put up vastly superior offensive #’s compared to Abreu the 2 years before hitting FA.
Received 1 guaranteed year.
3 years would be a PR stunt aimed at uninformed fans. A stunt that, due to their self impose payroll restrictions, would harm the Sox’ chances at contending.
It’s interesting to see the same Sox fans who backtracked on McCann vs. Grandal recently are doing the same about the wisdom of giving Abreu a long term deal.
Funny how reason and time can drag, kicking and screaming, even the most uninformed over the line,
I chose him to return to white sox, but thought he might take the QO.
I’m torn on him getting a descending salary for the next 3. Maybe a frontload first year and same rate for 2 and 3. 3 years $40MM 16,12,12
Well it’s all moot Jose took the QO
I’m glad he’s back. And maybe they can add a year or two during the season.
3/30 at most.