White Sox: Good News on Jose Abreu’s Potential Contract Extension

White Sox general manager gives some good news on the contract status of one of the longer-tenured players with the team and a valuable clubhouse presence.

Chicago White Sox fans can possibly breathe a sigh of relief in regards to wondering if Jose Abreu will get a contract extension or not this year. Abreu is in the final year of a six-year contract he signed as an International free agent.

While Abreu hasn’t signed a contract extension yet, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has gone on record stating it would be very likely that the veteran first baseman is with the team past 2019. According to NBC Sports Chicago, Hahn mentioned that Abreu has been very valuable to the Sox and while other veteran players were traded throughout this rebuild, the native Cuban has remained with the team because of his value inside of the clubhouse.

Extending Abreu beyond this season is the best decision the White Sox front office could make. The franchise certainly has the financial flexibility to do so after they whiffed hard this past offseason and didn’t sign any top free agents. At 32, Abreu likely won’t command a salary near what he initially signed in 2013 at $68 million over six years.

More from White Sox News

• The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
• The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
• Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
• Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
• Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa

However, Abreu’s extension shouldn’t hurt the Sox from targeting other free agents and also providing extensions to younger players over the next few years. The Sox need Abreu more than he needs them. Yes, the Sox could possibly sign another player that could replace Abreu next season but will they get the same value?

Possibly not. Since his rookie season in 2014, Abreu has been a good player for the Sox. But, it was in 2017 that Abreu showcased his true value to the team. With the Sox starting their rebuild after the 2016 season, they needed a stable presence in the clubhouse. Abreu provided that stability the Sox needed in 2017 and has been a valuable member of this franchise ever since.

The Sox would be foolish to not sign Abreu to an extension and it appears that at least Hahn is aware of this. Abreu should be rewarded with a contract extension and also the possibility to play on the next contending Sox team.

If Abreu does get a contract extension, it should allow him to play long enough to retire with the Sox. He’s well on his way to becoming another legend on the Southside, why not allow him to retire with the team and possibly see his jersey number enshrined with other Sox legends?