CHICAGO _ Jose Abreu made it clear that he wanted to return to the White Sox.
Abreu said through an interpreter on a couple of occasions during the 2019 season, "If the team doesn't sign me, I'm going to sign myself here."
He got his wish without having to go to those extremes Thursday, accepting a one-year qualifying offer of $17.8 million.
The first baseman, who will be 33 next season, led the Sox in home runs (33) and led the American League with 123 RBIs. He became the first Sox player to lead the AL in RBIs since Dick Allen had 113 in 1972.
Abreu's impact goes beyond numbers.
"He has taught me a lot, on and off the field," third baseman Yoan Moncada said through an interpreter on Sept. 24. "That's something that I will be always thankful for him because he's been a mentor for me, and I appreciate that."
Abreu joked on the final day of the 2019 season that "If I'm not here (in 2020), it's going to be tough for Eloy (Jimenez) to hit 30 homers next year."
Abreu has been a force since joining the Sox in 2014. He won the American League Rookie of the Year award that season, hitting .317 with 36 home runs, the most ever for a Sox rookie, and 107 RBIs.
Abreu has had at least 100 RBIs five times, setting a career high in 2019.
Abreu hit .284 this season with 38 doubles but had a .330 on-base percentage and struck out a career-high 152 times.
He has a career slash line of .293/.349/.513 with 179 home runs 611 RBIs.
