White Sox Set To Sign Cuban Slugger
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Oct 18, 2013 3:15PM
The latest Cuban baseball player to defect and seek riches in Major League Baseball is Jose Abreu, a 26-year-old slugger. While a number of teams have expressed interest in signing Abreu, it appears that the White Sox are on the verge of landing the hot prospect. Having trimmed a good bit of salary during a miserable 2013 season—the Sox currently have a $46 million payroll heading into next season—GM Rick Hahn and Executive Vice President Kenny Williams have apparently figured out how to re-allocate at least some of their personnel budget.
Reports suggest that the Sox and the Cuban first baseman have agreed on a six-year, $68 million deal that is finalized except for minor details and a physical. The Rangers, Astros and Red Sox had been in the mix to land Abreu who until recently played for the Cuban national team. In last spring's World Baseball Classic, Abreu displayed his talent by going 9-for-25 at the plate, with three home runs and nine RBIs. He staged showcases for major league teams in the Dominican Republic earlier this fall after defecting in late August.
A number of Cuban defectors have made big spashes in the majors in recent years, including the A's Yoenis Caspedes and Dodgers' Yasiel Puig. Puig's deal, paying him $42 million over six years is the richest to date for a Cuban star. Abreu appears set to raise the bar by a good margin. His deal would also surpass any the White Sox have given to a player before—more than the $56 million that lured Adam Dunn to the Sox when he was a free agent; more than the $60 million Paul Konerko got following the 2005 World Series win; more than John Dank's $65 million extension in 2011. If Abreu can produce numbers similar to Ryan Howard, to whom he has been compared, he could be a good investment. But $68 million is a ton of money for a player who's never spent a day in the majors. And those of us in Chicago cannot forget that the Cubs threw $48 million at Kosuke Fukudome, which clearly did not pay off.
Abreu won't be the only Cuban on the Sox roster next year. Outfielder Dayán Viciedo defected in 2008 via Mexico before signing with the Sox, and Alexei Ramírez signed with Chicago after fleeing Cuba for the Dominican Republic in 2007.
If the South Siders do land Abreu, it could mean the end of Paul Konerko's tenure with the Sox. Still deciding whether he wants to play in 2014 or retire, the team would have a logjam at first base/designated hitter with Abreu, Konerko and Adam Dunn. Even if he's willing to play for a substantial discount over his 2013 salary, Konerko may end up retiring or playing someplace else.