Fansided

Top 25 MLB free agents for 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 13: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning during their game at T-Mobile Park on September 13, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 13: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning during their game at T-Mobile Park on September 13, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

13. Jose Abreu

First baseman Jose Abreu has been the face of the Chicago White Sox through some pretty lean years, always putting on a good face and serving as a stellar role model for the prospects making their way up through the farm system. Abreu never demanded a trade or complained even though the White Sox likely would have found a way to acquiesce to his wishes. Now, the Sox might finally be starting to turn a corner as the 32-year-old prepares to hit free agency for the first time.

Abreu has been the model of consistency for the White Sox, even while hitting in a lineup that offered him very little in terms of protection for most of his first six seasons in the big leagues. He is a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and has driven in over 100 runs in five of his six seasons with a career .293/.349/.513 slash line. Abreu is coming off one of his best seasons after hitting .284/.330/.503 with 33 home runs and a league-leading 123 RBI.

It doesn’t seem like Abreu has much interest in playing anywhere else but Chicago the rest of his career.

"“Everybody knows my wishes and my desire to stay here,” he said through team interpreter Billy Russo. “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. And we are open. We are open to discuss. I want to be here, and you know guys, I’ve been telling you that. Hopefully I’m going to be here.”"

It makes a lot of sense for the White Sox to re-sign Abreu and effectively guarantee that their uniform is the only one he wears his entire career. Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada broke out in 2019 and Eloy Jimenez isn’t far behind. Keeping Abreu in the fold would ensure the White Sox have a core four of hitters that can put up runs in bunches.

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