Abreu hopes to keep slugging away with Chicago White Sox
Little or nothing has happened, but it's already been a newsworthy off-season for the Chicago White Sox.
With plenty of money to spend as they move into their third year of a rebuild, the Sox have been linked to a pair of big-name free agents: Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.
On Tuesday, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported the White Sox are trying to trade Avisail Garcia and are prepared to non-tender the right fielder if they can't make a deal. Garcia has been the subject of trade rumors for the last two years, as has Jose Abreu.
Both Sox veterans are under club control through the 2019 season, and both have value. As always, Abreu is hoping to stay with the White Sox through the upcoming season and beyond.
"Everybody knows that 2019 is going to be the last season of my current contract," Abreu said Tuesday through Sox translator Billy Russo. "I try not to think about that because the White Sox are the team I am going to be part of for a very long time. But that's not in my hands right now.
"In case next season is my last, I would like to thank the White Sox organization and all the people who have been around me. Especially the owner (Jerry Reinsdorf); he's been an outstanding person to me. But, like I said, I try not to think about that because I truly believe I am going to be part of this organization for a very long time."
There is little doubt Abreu is the best bat in a Sox lineup that has struggled to produce runs for years.
Even though the 31-year-old first baseman played in a career-low 128 games last season due to injuries, Abreu won his second Silver Slugger award after batting .265/.325/.473 with 22 home runs and 78 RBI.
"The award was very unexpected because it was a very difficult year for me," Abreu said. "When I heard about the award I started crying; I couldn't believe it. It was a very, very difficult season for me. People know how hard I worked day in and day out.
"I think this was a reward for all the work and effort, even though I didn't have my best season this year. It's rewarding."
Abreu said he hasn't talked with teammate Yoan Moncada since they both were back home in their native Cuba after the season ended.
But he did hear from White Sox manager Rick Renteria that Moncada already is in Arizona preparing for the 2019 season.
There has been speculation that Moncada is going to move from second base to third, clearing a spot for the impending arrival of first-round draft pick Nick Madrigal.
"That's a very good step forward for him, in his development process," Abreu said of Moncada. "We all know he has the talent, but he needs to improve, and the best way is to work and work hard. I'm very excited for him. That's going to be helpful for him."
• Catch White Sox beat writer Scot Gregor on CLTV's SportsFeed (Ch. 37) Wednesday night