Chicago White Sox's Abreu wins AL RBI title before hitting free agency
Tim Anderson won the batting title Sunday, but at least the Chicago White Sox's shortstop had a little company.
Frank Thomas and Luke Appling also led the American League in hitting wearing Sox uniforms, so the franchise now has a trio.
Before this season, the White Sox had only one AL RBI leader - Dick Allen in 1972.
You can make it two.
Jose Abreu finished the season with 123 RBI, ahead the Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts and Kansas City Royals' Jorge Soler, who finished tied for second with 117.
"It's just the work, the result of the daily work," Abreu said through a translator. "Working hard every day, having the support of all my teammates. It's really comforting just to have that."
Abreu is now eligible for free agency, but the odds seem very favorable he'll be back with the Sox next season and beyond.
"Everybody knows my wishes and my desire to stay here," said Abreu, who also batted .284 and hit 33 home runs. "This is an organization I respect. This is an organization I really honor. Right now, I'm going to take a few days off with my family.
"We are open. We are open to discuss. I want to be here, I've been telling you that. Hopefully I'm going to be here."
Looking ahead:
Manager Rick Renteria held a team meeting before Sunday's final game and let his players know they need to be ready to roll in 2020.
"Our future's bright," Renteria said. "And it's now. I think it's time for us to now take the next step. I've been saying that all year long, that we're at a point now where I make no bones about it, it's going to be incumbent on myself and our staff and everybody to continue to push us to the next phase, the next level.
"I don't want to be on the (negative) side of wins and losses anymore. I want to be on the other side of it in a positive way. I want for us to continue to push and grow and continue to raise the accountability factor for all of us and move forward."
Coaching change?
The White Sox are still discussing possible changes to the coaching staff and should have an announcement early this week.
"All these guys have worked their tail off and continue to provide for us growth for our guys," Rick Renteria said. "Hopefully, all of our discussions are good."