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The Bitter End: Analyzing Jose Abreu's Likely Departure from the White Sox

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net
By Steve Paradzinski | Last updated 10/10/22

Jose Abreu is an icon at the corner of 35th/Shields. There will come a day in the not-too-distant future that No. 79 will find its way onto the façade at the ballpark with the other Chicago White Sox legends. His likeness will be immortalized in bronze on the concourse as a lasting tribute for those who saw him pulverize baseballs to remember and to tell future generations of Sox fans.

As they say in life, all good things come to an end, and it appears this is the end for Jose Abreu with the White Sox.

A report from Bob Nightengale has put out in the open what many have been speculating for weeks. Abreu himself was non-committal regarding his future last Tuesday:

"I’m just thankful and loyal to Jerry," Abreu said through translator Bill Russo. ‘‘He gave me the opportunity to play here, and I appreciate the opportunity. I am a White Sox. I’ll be a White Sox tomorrow. We’ll see.’’

Abreu went on to thank White Sox' fans for their years of support. For full-length quotes, check out the piece from my colleague, Besnik Zekiri, from just a few days ago. It's well worth the read for full context.

All of this comes from a man who seems resigned to the fate that his time with the only organization he has ever known is all but finished. If that indeed is the case, Abreu will truly go down as one of the true legends of this franchise.

After nine seasons with the South Siders, Abreu ranks third all-time in home runs (243), fifth in RBIs (863), and tied for 10th in wRC+ (133). All things considered, he has been everything he was expected to be and then some since defecting from Cuba in 2013.

A Different Tone

Back in 2019 when Jose Abreu was in the final year of his deal with the White Sox, he had a markedly different tone when discussing his future with the club.

"One of the reasons I’m telling you guys if the team doesn’t sign me, I’m going to sign myself here: I know that we have talent to compete and to be a World Series champion team,” Abreu said in September 2019 through team interpreter Billy Russo. “I’m telling you I know the talent is here and I want to be part of this.”

Abreu, famously a favorite of team owner Jerry Reinsdorf, worked directly with the Chairman to get his three-year deal done that took him through the end of this season. But somewhere along the way, this relationship has obviously soured. Abreu's words on his future were in stark contrast this spring to the last time he was entering the final year of a deal.

"My goal right now is just to have a very good season, stay healthy,” Abreu said. “Once the season ends, I will have to make a decision and see if I want to continue or if there's a chance to be here or if there's a chance to be in another place. We'll see once the season ends."

Pay particularly close attention to the wording used by Jose here. "I" will have a decision to make and see if "I" want to continue. All of this came before a season that can only be described as an abject failure on all accounts.

Organizational Failure

Let's get something straight. The Chicago White Sox organization has failed Jose Abreu Every person involved — from the Chairman, to Kenny Williams, to Rick Hahn, and those in between — has failed that man.

Abreu has epitomized what it means to be a member of the White Sox. He has exemplified the values that this fan base holds so close to our hearts. Remember, this man ate a fake passport to get into the country in 2013. You read that right. There have been very few things you could count on with the White Sox since 2014, but the one constant was Jose Abreu.

The only thing that could keep this man down was a case of testicular torsion that sidelined him for the final six weeks of the 2018 season. Other than that, "Pito" has been nothing short of an absolute warrior. He shows up to the park every day, healthy or hurt, ready to play and produce. And what does he have to show for his commitment to this organization? Two playoff game victories, that's it.

Reinsdorf talked about Abreu being one of his favorite Sox players ever, but he sure has a funny way of showing him.

When the "window" opened during the 2020 season, that should've been the moment the Chairman did everything in his power to put a team around Abreu to get him to a World Series. Did he? You know the answer. Instead, his fully entrenched "yes men" in the front office went about business as usual, putting a team around Abreu that was good enough to win a bad division one time.

His Decision

Coming into the season, Abreu said he would have a decision to make about his future, and he has earned the right to make that decision. Things are being presented in a manner that appears as though the organization is wanting to move on from Abreu, but I'm not sure it's as one-sided as people want to believe. Frankly, I wouldn't blame Abreu for wanting to move on from the organization that wasted the best nine years of his baseball life.

The fact is, Jose's time on the diamond is closer to the end than the beginning. He deserves the opportunity to join a competent organization that will give him a legitimate chance to win a World Series, because it sure won't be on the South Side. He gave the White Sox his prime and they gave him nothing back. Nobody should blame him if he believes it's in his best interest to go to a true contending team like Houston. I know I won't.

The prospects of Jose Abreu putting on another uniform will surely sting. I lived through seeing Frank Thomas in Oakland A's and Toronto Blue Jays uniforms. I lived through Mark Buehrle suiting up for the Miami Marlins and Blue Jays. I'm living with Chris Sale in a Boston Red Sox uniform. Abreu donning another jersey is on that level, but the difference is, in my opinion, he can make the choice if he wants to move on from this organization that failed him.

Judging by his quotes in recent days and going back to Spring Training, it appears as though this train left the station long ago. This was the final hoorah but with no fanfare, because that's who Jose Abreu is. A quiet, unassuming destroyer of baseballs who has never sought out the exposure that he so richly deserved.

In the end, maybe Abreu and the White Sox are able to reconcile things and Andrew Vaughn is the odd man out going into next season. I wouldn't have an issue with that, but if Abreu decides it's best for him to go elsewhere, I know I will be pulling for him to get what he so rightfully deserves.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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