MLB: One free agent each team needs to target this offseason

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via 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) /

Chicago White Sox: Jose Abreu

The White Sox are building towards taking the American League by storm with their young core. They improved on their 2018 win total by 10 this year and saw Lucas Giolito, Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada take huge steps forward in their development. Eloy Jimenez also made his MLB debut and hit 31 home runs in 122 games. The core is coming together on the South Side of Chicago.

One player has stuck it out with the White Sox for the entire rebuilding process, never pushing to be shipped out of town as the teardown gutted the roster. That’s first baseman/DH Jose Abreu. The 32-year-old has played his entire career with the White Sox and effectively gave up the last seasons of his prime to babysit a bunch of rookies and prospects.

In six years in the big leagues since being signed out of Cuba, Abreu is a three-time All-Star who has hit .293/.349/.513 with 179 home runs and 611 RBI. He has been one of the steadiest run producers in the league and has topped 30 home runs four times and 100 RBI five times.

Abreu has already expressed interest in remaining in Chicago, and the feeling should be mutual. He has been the consummate professional during the rebuilding process and is the type of player the young clubhouse needs to learn from.

Abreu hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down at the plate as he nears his 33rd birthday, but he may need to make a more permanent switch to DH. The White Sox can afford to be a little sentimental in re-signing their leader.

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