Report: Reinsdorf Gave Abreu Extension In 2019 Despite Front Office Concerns

It has become increasingly clear that Jose Abreu will not be returning to the White Sox next season. After playing 93.6 percent of all White Sox games in the past nine years, the front office wants to go in a different direction. For the first time in his MLB career, Abreu will have something other than a White Sox logo on his chest. However, if the front office had their way, Abreu might have been in a different uniform two years earlier had Jerry Reinsdorf not interfered.

Front Office Was Not 100% Behind Extending Abreu

Bob Nightengale was the first to report the Sox plan to let Abreu move on in free agency this winter. Daryl Van Schouwen’s recent report in the Chicago Sun-Times reinforced that the front office intends to move Andrew Vaughn back to his natural position at first base to replace Abreu.

During the same report, Van Schouwen said that the White Sox’s decision to re-sign Abreu the last time he reached free agency was made by Jerry Reinsdorf. Following the 2019 season, the front office “was not 100% behind” the idea of re-signing Abreu to a long-term deal. Reinsdorf decided to take it upon himself to put forth the $50MM offer to Abreu after the slugger had accepted a one-year, $17.8MM qualifying offer.

Reinsdorf has a reputation of being loyal to a fault, but given all that Abreu had done for the organization, it was hard to blame him. In 2019 he was coming off his third All-Star season and led the league with 123 RBIs. He had also hit 25 plus home runs and produced 100+ RBIs in five of his first six seasons.

During his three-year extension, Abreu rewarded Reinsdorf’s loyalty by slashing .289/.366/.489 with a 137 wRC+. In 2020 he took home the American League MVP award. Abreu followed that up by hitting 30 home runs in 2021, then led the team with a .304 batting average in 2022. Last season he also posted a career-low strikeout rate.

Why The Front Office Wants To Move On

Abreu has done everything the White Sox could ask of him on and off the field. He is a positive influence in the clubhouse. Abreu helped the team recruit Luis Robert and served as a mentor to the team’s budding stars, Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez. His work ethic also sets a great example.

So why does the front office want to move on? The short answer is Andrew Vaughn. Vaughn was drafted with the White Sox first-round pick in 2019. The front office viewed him as the franchise’s future, who would provide a cheaper option at first base than Abreu and allow them to allocate money to other needs. The fact that they trusted Vaughn enough to give him meaningful at-bats in 2021, despite limited time against professional pitching in minor leagues, is very telling. They wanted Vaughn in the lineup so bad that they threw him in left field, a position he hadn’t played in high school or college.

If the White Sox were hesitant to bring Abreu back in 2019, the chances of him returning this offseason are even slimmer. Abreu’s power numbers took a dip. His home run to fly ball ratio dropped to 9.6%, and his 15 home runs were the lowest number of his career.

Payroll is also an issue. AJ Pollock will likely opt into his contract, and Tim Anderson’s option will also be exercised, meaning the White Sox will be strapped with at least $143.5 million in guaranteed money. The roster needs significant help, so the White Sox are trying to get as much financial flexibility as possible.

If and when the front office does move on, it will mark a sad end to an illustrious White Sox career for Abreu.