Jose Abreu could return to Chicago next season, but a new report suggests it might involve the team up north.
Bruce Levine shared on 670 The Score’s “Inside the Clubhouse” today that the Cubs are the ones who have shown an interest in pursuing the first baseman this offseason, and might even have a higher possibility of striking a deal.
“It is a real possibility,” Levine said regarding the Cubs as a destination. “They are going to be kicking the tires and looking at Jose Abreu as a possible free agent in the offseason. According to sources, he is on their list, at the top of their list of people that they’re looking to possibly bring in.”
The MLB insider also clarified that this isn’t a done deal by any means.
“I don’t think the Chicago Cubs are the lone suitor or a guarantee to get Jose Abreu,” Levine said. “All I can tell you is, he is on their list. He will be looked at, and I don’t there’s any reason for Jose Abreu to say, ‘No, I wouldn’t want to play with the Chicago Cubs.'”
The overall tone of the conversation suggested that a return to the South Side appears to be increasingly unlikely for Abreu at this point. This mirrors the opinion held by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, who shared similar thoughts on the station’s show last weekend.
“I don’t think there’s any way in the world they bring back Jose Abreu,” Nightengale commented blatantly. “I love the guy. He still had a strong season, but you got to change things up in there.”
Abreu, 35, turned in another quality season for the White Sox while battling injuries in 2022. In 157 games played, he finished hitting .304/.378/.446 with 15 home runs, 75 RBI, and a .824 OPS, good for a 137 wRC+, 4.2 bWAR, and 3.9 fWAR.
Across his nine seasons with the club, Abreu slashed .292/.354/.506 with 243 home runs, 863 runs batted in, a .860 OPS, 133 wRC+, and a .364 wOBA. He amassed 31.9 bWAR and 27.7 fWAR, both of which are the 19th-highest in franchise history. Overall, the Cuban appeared in 1,270 games, registered 5,506 plate appearances, and became both a fan favorite and unofficial team captain along the way.
Much to the disappointment of all parties involved, Abreu enters free agency with only two playoff victories across his nine years on the South Side. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn recently admitted that a potential re-signing of Abreu would have “a ripple effect” on the rest of the roster.
In a press conference before the season’s end, Abreu expressed his desire to continue playing and showed an interest in returning. However, the first baseman said he had not engaged in any talks with the front office and will plan to take the offseason to rest and think about what comes next. Since free agency doesn’t officially open until five days after the World Series, the White Sox are the only team who can negotiate with Abreu for the time being if they so choose.
As more on Abreu’s future is made available, we will provide further updates. Follow along with us at @SoxOn35th!
To listen to Levine’s full segment on today’s “Inside the Clubhouse” episode, click here.
Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
That said, I could see the Cubs contending in NL Central if Ricketts makes good on his spending promise. The Cards are meh while the Brewers are dismantling. I also have more faith in Jed Hoyer than Rick Hahn since the firing of Renteria, followed by a slew of other bad moves.
I’d also imagine there might be more than a few Sox fans pissed to see the Cubs with Abreu and Nick Madrigal manning the right side of their infield on opening day, especially if the Sox roll out some combination of Romy Gonzalez, Josh Harrison and Leury Garcia at 2B again.
This Cub & Sox fan isn’t buying an Abreu flip. He’s more likely to leave Chicago than sign on the northside. Pito will get paid, most likely by a legit 2023 WS contender.