Numbers show Abreu's a better DH for White Sox than LaRoche
Jose Abreu is a team-first kind of player.
Last season's American League Rookie of the Year is also more comfortable at first base than designated hitter, and that's where the Chicago White Sox have a problem.
When the Sox signed Adam LaRoche to a two-year, $25 million contract over the winter, he was expected to be the regular DH despite winning a Gold Glove at first with the Nationals in 2012.
Heading into Thursday, LaRoche had a .199/.308/.304 hitting line with 3 home runs and 18 RBI as the White Sox' designated hitter.
At first base, LaRoche's slash line was 291/.380/.570, and he had 6 homers and 14 RBI in 109 fewer plate appearances.
Abreu was batting .281 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI at first base and .333 with 3 homers and 10 RBI at DH.
Clearly, the Sox' offense is better when LaRoche is at first base and Abreu is the designated hitter.
"I have to thank God for the good results in the DH spot because that is a position, I don't like it," Abreu said through an interpreter. "But that's some type of decision for (manager) Robin (Ventura) to make and I have to work with it. When I'm in the DH spot I just try to be in the cage the majority of the time trying to adjust my swing and keep warm for every at-bat."
Abreu was the White Sox' designated hitter Thursday against the Blue Jays, and he was 2-for-4. LaRoche played first base and was 0-for-4.
With the Sox heading to Wrigley Field this weekend for an interleague series against the Cubs, Abreu is likely to start all three games at first base. There is no DH.
Opposing opinion:
Toronto manager John Gibbons has his own team to worry about, but he weighed in on the Sox before Thursday afternoon's 2-0 loss at U.S. Cellular Field.
"I've just followed them a little bit," Gibbons said. "It's still a very good team. You've got a lot of talent over there. I've said this before, I think they're experiencing a lot what we did two years ago when we brought in a bunch of new guys. You know, everybody crowned us champs and sometimes it takes time for things to come together when you get so many new guys at once. Sometimes it never happens."
Given the strength of the White Sox' pitching staff, Gibbons said good things can still happen this season.
"You look at the way they pitch, that rotation, I mean that's as good as anybody's," Gibbons said. "Better than many, right?"
Ramirez sits:
After fouling a ball off his left foot Wednesday night, White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez was not in the starting lineup Thursday.
X-rays were negative and Ramirez is hoping to be ready when the Sox play the Cubs this weekend at Wrigley Field.
"I feel much better than (Wednesday) night," Ramirez said through an interpreter. "During the game last night, I didn't feel anything because I was warm. When I arrived to my house, it was swollen. I want to try to play tomorrow."
Gordon Beckham filled in for Ramirez at short Thursday and played a solid defensive game.