GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jose Abreu looked relaxed, happy and seemingly at ease yet with much anticipation Friday, three days away from the first official day of spring training for position players.
Abreu had new money in his bank account, a contentment and peace shared with the people who matter most to him – his family – that he will play another three years for the White Sox. He is also embracing reasonable expectations that the Sox roster is equipped enough to talk postseason without raising eyebrows.
“It’s just that time for us to start winning games and start to be relevant,” Abreu said through translator Billy Russo, sitting alongside him on a picnic table near the front doors of the Sox’ spring training complex.
It’s been well documented that the Cuban first baseman’s six seasons on the South Side were losing seasons and that despite it, he assured everyone he would return to the Sox. Without as much as negotiating with another team, Abreu, 33, secured a three-year, $50 million deal in free agency in the offseason.
”My agent and I were focused on the White Sox. That was our focus through the whole process,” he said through team interpreter Billy Russo. “My mom taught me to be thankful, and I’m really thankful to be with the White Sox.
”Yes, we had conversations with a team: with the White Sox.”
No one else?
“No.”
You know you’re supposed to get paid, right?
”It’s not all about the money. My family is good in Chicago. They love Chicago. They are really grateful and good with the White Sox organization. Just the way that the organization has treated them, the fans, all the support. For us, it didn’t make sense to look around for other places.”
Maybe chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who assured Abreu last season he would never wear another uniform, isn’t the most loyal White Sox, after all.
For Abreu, whose value to the Sox is measured by his middle of the order bat as well his influence on young Cubans Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert as well as young Domincan Eloy Jimenez, things could not be rosier as he begins his seventh spring training.
“I’m excited because the expectations are there,” he said.
Already sending a message to the clubhouse, even before Jimenez and Robert were yet to arrive, Abreu said all-for-one and one-for-all still means something.
“We have to be united,” Abreu said. “We need to be strong in good times and bad times if we want to be successful this season. With the guys that we have right now, that’s something that’s doable. That’s our goal. Expectations are high because we all know this is the time for us to win.”
Of all the Sox offseason acquisitions, the new designated hitter, a proven 30-home run hitter, brought a big smile to Abreu’s face. Middle of the order hitters love protection in the lineup.
“Edwin Encarnación, that’s the missing piece,” Abreu said. “That’ the piece in our lineup that we were missing. I’m just excited to start playing along with him.”
And why not? With Yasmani Grandal, Robert, Nomar Mazara and possibly Nick Madrigal joining Moncada, Jimenez and Tim Anderson, to the lineup, the Sox should score plenty of runs.
“This is the turning point for us as the White Sox and as big leaguers,” Abreu said. “We’re going to start winning here and that’s something that keeps me excited. And not just for me, everyone is excited that we’re going to be a winning team.”
