José Abreu has been a fixture within the Chicago White Sox lineup for 9 seasons.
He was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2014 and the AL Most Valuable Player in 2020. He led the league in RBIs in 2019 and 2020.
And he virtually by no means misses a sport.
Abreu’s time with the group is likely to be winding down. The first baseman can be a free agent after this season.
“As I said before, I’m just thankful and loyal to (Sox Chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf),” Abreu stated by way of an interpreter when requested Tuesday in regards to the uncertainty of ending his profession with the Sox. “He gave me the chance to play right here and I recognize that. I all the time will be thankful for that chance.
“Like I said, I am a White Sox. I’ll be a White Sox (on Wednesday). We’ll see.”
Could he think about himself in a unique uniform?
“I said before, I’ll be a White Sox until tomorrow,” Abreu stated.
Abreu, 35, leads the Sox in a number of offensive classes this season, together with batting common (.304), hits (182) and doubles (39). He’s second in RBIs (75) and tied for third in homers (15).
The Sox produce other potential matches at first base, together with Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets. Both gamers spent most of their first two big-league seasons within the outfield.
“He’s been exemplary in terms of what you want a White Sox player to be for nine years now,” common supervisor Rick Hahn stated of Abreu on Monday. “No matter what the longer term holds for him right here or elsewhere, I don’t suppose you’re ever going to listen to anybody with this group say a foul phrase about José. Nothing however admiration and respect for the professionalism and the way in which he’s carried himself on the sphere and off the sphere.
“How it fits going forward, that remains to be seen come this offseason. Obviously there’s only so many different ways that you can fit various players on the roster and José returning would have a ripple effect on others, but we’ll have to wait to see how things unfold and make those decisions accordingly.”
Abreu stated he has not talked with the Sox a couple of new deal.
“The goal right now is just to finish the season strong and healthy,” he stated. “Once the season is over, take some time to think, rest and we’ll go from there.”
Abreu made clear he’ll preserve taking part in someplace.
“Of course,” he stated. “I like baseball. I like the sport much more now than once I began.
“I’m still hungry about the game. Once I lose that, then I know that it’s time.”
His teammates and coaches need Abreu again.
“One hundred percent,” heart fielder Luis Robert stated final week in Minneapolis.
Shortstop Tim Anderson stated Tuesday: “You’ve seen what he’s been doing since he got here. He’s been consistent on both sides (offense and defense).”
Abreu returned the reward.
“I have all the respect for all of them, all my teammates, the first ones that were here when I first started to this group,” he stated. “This is a very special group. I respect all of them, love them.”
Acting supervisor Miguel Cairo pointed to Abreu’s management.
“That’s the perfect example to follow right there,” Cairo stated Tuesday. “If I’m a young kid, I want to see how he goes about his business. Preparation. Discipline. You want to have 26 players like that.”
Speaking of preparation, Abreu acknowledged this season’s energy numbers aren’t the place he’s accustomed to and that can be a spotlight this winter.
“That’s one of my goals to work on during the offseason, trying to increase power to hit homers,” he stated.
Which house park he homers in in the course of the 2023 season stays to be seen.
“I don’t like goodbyes,” Abreu stated when requested in regards to the feelings surrounding the final couple of video games of 2022. “Again, I’m going to enjoy this, I’m going to be a White Sox (on Wednesday) too, and then we’ll go from there.”
He closed Tuesday’s interview session with a message to Sox followers.
“I want to thank them for all the support, for always having my back,” he stated. “These were a special nine years and I hope that there can be more. But up to now it’s been very special and I’m going to be forever grateful for them.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com