Jose Abreu will stay with the White Sox rather than test the free agent market, as ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan reports (Twitter link) that the first baseman has accepted the team’s one-year, $17.8MM qualifying offer. The team has since announced that Abreu is indeed returning after accepting the QO.
Abreu stood out as the likeliest player to accept a qualifying offer given his age (33 in January), lack of defensive value and longstanding vocal desire to remain with the White Sox. The market for strict first base/DH type sluggers has deteriorated in recent years, and while some elite hitters (e.g. J.D. Martinez) have managed to take home lucrative multi-year deals in spite of that reality, Abreu is on the old side for a free agent and isn’t quite in that Martinez echelon of offensive output. There’s also a fairly limited number of contending clubs that could be reasonably expected to make competitive bids on a first baseman or designated hitter, which wouldn’t have done the veteran slugger any favors in seeking out a new organization.
That’s not to say that Abreu isn’t a decidedly above-average hitter. He’s fresh off a strong .284/.330/.503 batting line and 33 home runs in 2019. The ChiSox likely feel they can pencil him in for another strong average and 25-plus home runs, as he’s only failed to reach that mark in an injury-shortened 2018 campaign (when he still launched 22 long balls in just 128 games). Abreu has spent six seasons in the big leagues and been an above-average hitter in each of them.
Of course, it should be noted that those 2019 numbers from Abreu came at a time when offensive numbers were at a record high throughout the league. His batting line is clearly stout — but perhaps not to the extent many would think of upon hearing “33 home runs.” By measures like OPS+ and wRC+ which are adjusted based on a hitter’s home park and leaguewide context, Abreu’s 2019 checked in at 17 to 19 percent better output than that of a league-average hitter (117 wRC+, 119 OPS+). That’s a stark contract to Abreu’s utterly dominant rookie season, when he hit .317/.383/.581 and tied Mike Trout for the second-highest wRC+ in all of Major League Baseball.
But for the South Siders, Abreu’s value transcends his pure statistical output on the field. White Sox brass, like Abreu himself, has been vocal about its desire to keep the slugger for the long run due to the fact that he’s emerged as a clear leader in the team’s clubhouse and a integral part of the community on the south side of Chicago. The ChiSox surely valued him more than an outside organization would, and the club surely hopes that Abreu will remain woven into the fabric of the organization for years to come.
The question now, for both Abreu and the organization, is whether they’ll simply head into the 2020 season with the current one-year, $17.8MM arrangement or whether they’ll work out a multi-year deal that’ll keep Abreu around for a longer period while likely lowering his 2020 salary. Abreu was reported to be mulling a three-year offer just hours before the final decision on his qualifying offer was due, but it seems that he and his representatives at ISE Baseball didn’t feel the annual salary on that proposed contract was to their liking. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets that the two sides are expected to continue discussing two- and three-year scenarios, so it’s certainly possible that today’s one-year agreement is torn up in favor of a lengthier pact at some point between now and Opening Day.
Nice job Hahn
Wow!
Overpay for Sox. Although probably the best outcome for both sides.
FanGraphs valued him at $14.9M last year. At the very most it’s a slight overpay but not that big a deal for an organization that values what he brings to the team off the field as well
It’s not an overpay. You are the most negative Sox fan I have ever seen, and that says a lot coming from me. Abreu is a solid run producer and a veteran leader in the locker room. Had it been for multiple years, I might agree. But a one year deal at that price point won’t break Reinsdorf’s bank, trust me.
Again, nice mutually beneficial parting gift for 1yr transition at 1B. Hope they remove emotion (not good business) and don’t extend it any further. Next up is a guy I don’t want signed to big $, but many fellow Sox fans will be thrilled………..Grandal!!
next up is a guy everyone wants but some people are uncomfortable with…………Yasiel!!
Yeah, why such a gloomy gus. He’s likely to sign a multiyear deal, and the club’s loyalty to a team leader will likely run off on team relations with Yoan, Eloy and Lou Bob going forward.
Love this guy. He’s a great team guy who hits well above average and you never hear a peep from him. He just goes out there and plays ball every day which these days is amazing.
Yeah, why such a gloomy gus. He’s likely to sign a multiyear deal, and the club’s loyalty to a team leader will likely run off on team relations with Yoan, Eloy and Lou Bob going forward.
Lmfao
Multiply the money and years on his contract by 6 and POOF!-You get Eric Hosmer
Sox should have traded Abreu like 3 years ago.
And the Padres never should have signed Eric Hosmer, the most overrated player in the history of baseball.
Only 6 years and $102mm remaining… not THAT bad. Lmfao
Abreu is better than Hosmer offensively. And Abreu’s actually loved and respected by his franchise.
@ChiSoxCity I agree 100%. I’m not sure what these jackals are talking about, Abreu is much better than Hosmer. Six seasons into his MLB career and his numbers translate to HOF worthy career totals. Imagine if he defected at age 18 or 19? HOFer for sure.
@myaccount Obviously. But this thread is about the White Sox. Not the Padres.
So what’s your point?
@ChiSoxCity all Abreu did for the White Sox the last 3 years was hurt their draft position.
By slugging or mentoring young players like Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and Tim Anderson…or both? What an idiotic reply of an even more moronic initial comment. Lmfao to you as well, pal.
Yep, he’s taught all 3 of those guys, to field, just like him. Bad!! Although I must say, Abreu might be the best of the bunch as a fielder.
Not your pal.
Abreu had no effect on the respective performances of Moncada, Jimenez and Anderson. And even if he had, then they’d all just go back to sucking once he is gone.
K.
L.
Man this is a bad take. If you don’t think vets have impacts on young guys, then you have never talked to a player.
Not saying Hosmer isn’t over-rated, But I believe the most over-rated award belongs to Bryce Harper
3 for 4! batting .750
Who are the other two that have signed?
Never mind, Will Smith.
Batting .750 as well although most everybody is probably hitting .500 with Adam Wainwright and Jose Abreu staying put. Guessed right on Jake Odorizzi also remaining with the Twinkies but let my worst Cubs side show hoping they might sign southpaw reliever Will Smith. I will insist my wife spank me later tonight for my overt optimism.
I’m 3/4
had Will Smith staying in SF (sadness, cuz it effects other choices now…)
alright…now for the harder choices
3/4
3/4 batting .750
There was more than coin flip odds he’d accept the offer.
Smart move. The market doesn’t look to nicely on older utility first basemen, with a high strikeout rate.
The character of this man in times like these, continuing to do right for the team. Bravo, Abreu!
L
He knew he wouldn’t have got more than half of the QO per year.
Now sign QUALITY free agents!
Nice to have Abreu back in the fold,unfortunately Odorizzi also accepted his so one less pitching option to go after.
PHA
I thought Abreu was going to sign with the Marlins! LOL!
this makes me laugh so hard!!!
Studies show some people are laughing when they really should be crying.
With the addition of Robert and Madigral along with a free agent to play right field, Abreu might lead the American League in RBIs for a second straight season.
Yes! With all sorts of interesting lineups, we’re going to be dangerous. I paid close attention to Abreu’s form when he would reach, go-and-get some pitches. It must be hard, nobody wants to pitch to him!
Wise move by Abreu, the market has been brutal to 1B/DH type players the last 3 or 4 years. I think the it’s a win-win for the Sox and Abreu’s camp.
Interesting. Definitely shows he would rather stay with the White Sox than sign a more lucrative deal. Much respect.
Or he’s worried about ending up like Moustakas and having his best offer be a one year deal for half of the QO. With the way the market is for aging first basemen, I seriously doubt he could even find a more lucrative contract.
“Biggest no-brainer in the history of Earth” (cue music). It is an overpay for the White Sox, but it’s only for one year and bridges the gap until Vaughn arrives. Everybody knew the market would be frosty for Abreu.
Very happy to hear this news. I hope he has a great season.
Wise decision for Abreu. At least he knows he’s locked in for a high AAV for next year and can still negotiate a contract with CWS for more years.
Does anyone know now that Abreu accepted the QO, is he locked in for that salary or if he signs an extension CWS can have his 2020 salary be lower as per the potential new contract extension?
the 17.8MM is not locked-in for extension talks. This buys both sides time to put a deal together. Or he just takes the QO and negotiates next season. I have him at 3years $40+MM
That would be totally fair and assured Abreu of being around with the kids he’s mentoring when the team is ready to contend.
Contracts can be torn up if both parties agree to it.
Be nice to hear who else was making a play. MIA, BOS, TEX, maybe more. Sorry guys, no deal!
If Miami was looking at him? gives a clue how far his value had slipped on the open market and Boston certainly wasn’t going to pay him close to 18m. His “value” was/is as either a defensively challenged 1b, or a DH and the article summed it up perfectly when it stated some of the reasons.. he’s not on par with JD martinez with the bat as a DH, who will make 25m in 2020 and in the past, +30 1b have seen value slip in many cases. I think he made a wise decision myself for a guy who seems to like the place where he plays and can always work out an extension.
Um, if Miami was looking at him they were looking to increase their revenue by about $60MM per year. I think they put in a respectful offer.
Could probably have made a bit more money going elsewhere but guess comfort more than anything else.
Not a chance he made anything close to the QO value. The market for guys his age who are effectively designated hitters is nonexistent, he wasn’t getting multiple years for more than half the AAV of the QO.
Yeah, he’d make more money overall, but the AAV would suck. Next year he can hit the market without the draft pick compensation and try his luck.
Abreu gets to go to war one more time with his brothers before handing the colors to new blood at 1B. I imagine he’ll join the organization in some capacity after that. Couldn’t ask for a better ending to a fine career with the club who brought him up. Cheers.
This isn’t a farewell tour yet. He’ll be playing somewhere in 2021.
Yes. Most likely Jose Abreu will remain with the White Sox in some capacity by transitioning from 1B to DH to eventual team ambassador, ala ‘Mr. White Sox’ Minnie Minoso. He will be a White Sox lifer one way or another and deservedly so.
Hopefully when Abreu earns his first White Sox World Series ring it will be as a contributing player and not reminiscent of what occurred with slugging HOF 1B/DH Frank Thomas back in 2005.
Yeah, the way Frank went out was cringeworthy.
Yeah but Frank was hurt (no pun intended). And then showed he could still be productive despite having to wear ugly white shoes.
Glad it’s only 1 year. Sox have a crowning 1B/DH problem. Vaughn, Sheets, Collins, even Eloy will likely end up as a 1B. And hopefully we won’t see Palka again.
A smart corresponding move would now have the White Sox signing free agent DH Edwin Encarnacion to a one year contract for 2020 if they fail to address the position with a trade for a lefty hitting 1B/DH type. It’s more likely the White Sox will trade for a needed lefty bat to fill their RF or DH void than by signing a free agent in a market lacking in quality hitters from the left side. Another wise move would be to sign switch-hitting free agent catcher Yasmani Grandal to help with their lineup imbalance which leans too heavily right-handed.
Adding a lefty or two would hopefully put an end to the Nicholas Castellanos rumors. This White Sox fans appreciates Castellanos bat but does not want to see his team sign a DH to a long contract. Nor do I desire to see uber prospect Luis Robert getting worn out or hurt with two poor defensive players flanking him. I can live with Eloy Jimenez in LF for now with the hope that he will continue to improve his defense. I have little hope for an older Castellanos to do likewise in RF.
Underrated ballplayer !
I would like to see him sign a deal with an easy vest for smaller money next year with a player option, and a tough vest for more money in 2022 (in case Vaughn struggles or gets hurt and Abreu can still perform).
Lmao the White Sox and their pathetic little vesting options.
Pay up or shut up.
We’ll see who’s laughing a year from now.
Chisox, It’s okay we can start laughing now. 🙂
Remember that at the end of Manny’s contract. Hopefully for you the end goes better than the beginning. You probably have nothing to worry about with his outstanding work ethic and all.
I think this turns into 3 years/$44M or so: $17.8M, $13.1M, $13.1M
I think the Will Smith contract (3/$40) would be the goal for Abreu. Don’t think the Sox will do that though.
So basically he heard the marlins were interested, so he figured life was rock bottom and he might as well take the QO lol.
I guess Hahn still has a hard on for Gavin Sheets and thinks he’s the real deal.
2 for 4!
But par is 3/4.
I’m a Cubs fan but have admired Abreu for his leadership qualities both on the field and in the clubhouse, it’s a good deal for both sides, and a long term deal for a slightly less AV would even make better sense for both sides
Agreed. Hopefully Abreu improves this year vs. RHP. Some more power in the lineup should help with that.
Likely similar to what you guys can expect on the North Side with Rizzo, another lifer who’s happy with his current lot.
Its a smart signing. In one year Vaughn should show. My biggest problem with this is that they keep putting him in the 3 hole. He is now a 4 spot guy and needs to slide back and let Jimenez step in at number 3. I realize they did not want that pressure on Jimenez last year, but lets be real about where this needs to be. Its best for both of them at this juncture. Depends of course on what other moves are made.
I’ll take an Astros-like lineup construction with LouBob 1 and Madrigal 2. Put Moncada 3 to break up the righties, and then Eloy and Abreu. Yes, please.
Agree with both comments.
Of course, a lot can change and likely will with potential lineup construction by the time opening day arrives. The front office will undoubtedly make additional acquisitions this offseason via trades and free agent signings that will address their black holes in RF and at DH. They also figure to add a veteran catcher with active rosters expanding to 26 in 202o so that Zack Collins can be be utilized more backing up Jose Abreu at 1B while also sharing time in the DH role in addition to being their #3 backstop.
There also remains the strong likelihood that both Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal will see their MLB debuts delayed until later in April unless each agree to an Eloy Jimenez like contract extension before opening day in order to circumvent their MLB service time in regards to future free agency.