Chicago White Sox: MLB Network disrespects Jose Abreu

Everyone in the baseball world knows just how important Jose Abreu is to the Chicago White Sox. He is really establishing himself as one of the most important and best players in the history of the organization. The team and the player have been loyal to each other through some tough times in the standings and now they are reaping the benefit. Abreu was so good in 2020 and that allowed the White Sox to make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.

MLB Network disrespected Jose Abreu by the Chicago White Sox first baseman too low.

The MLB Network is so great. They have brilliant people who work there and create content and they deserve nothing but respect. They have been ranking the top ten players at each position during the offseason and that will always cause a reaction. They have been rather generous to the Chicago White Sox this year and it makes sense because they have a lot of great players.

However, their ranking of the top-ten first baseman in Major League Baseball is a bit disrespectful. They ranked Jose Abreu as the fourth-best player at the position in the league. That does look generous because a guy on our team is in the top-five but he honestly deserves to be higher. He is coming off a season where he was the best player in the American League. His efforts awarded him an American League MVP because of how good he was.

Ranking him first or second on the list seems more logical. On this list, Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves is first, Paul Goldschmidt is of the St. Louis Cardinals is second, and Luke Voit of the New York Yankees is third. Freeman was the National League MVP so his spot as the top guy is well deserved but Abreu also deserves it. Second place is also fair but there is no reason to have Goldschmidt or Voit ahead of him.

Luke Voit is a fantastic baseball player. He deserves recognition but coming off of 2020 and going into 2021, no one would rather have him in place of Jose Abreu. With Abreu coming in first for the AL MVP, Voit came in ninth. Goldschmidt came in 15th for the NL version of the award. That isn’t the only thing that should go into it but it is a rather large gap. Of the four players, Freeman and Abreu had a significantly higher WAR.

Of course, it doesn’t really matter in the end. Jose Abreu is focused on getting ready for 2021 where the White Sox look like they are going to be a powerhouse team. He will have other elite players around him and that is going to elevate his production even more. Lists like these are fun but the real prize can be claimed in October.