Potential Cubs, White Sox free agent target has a surprising new suitor

A free agent target for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox — Jose Abreu — has a new suitor and they’re making him a priority.

Both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have a fit on their roster for free agent Jose Abreu. The Cubs are looking for first basemen while the White Sox should be involved in retaining their longtime slugger and 2020 American League MVP.

The market at the position could dry up quickly, especially with Anthony Rizzo already returning to the New York Yankees. One of those teams that could have gone after Rizzo has emerged as a suitor for Abreu.

According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the San Diego Padres are now making Abreu an offseason priority.

The Cubs and White Sox could lose out in the Jose Abreu sweepstakes to the Padres

Abreu to the Padres makes a lot of sense. The team should be all-in this coming year. Having clawed past the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason, all of the chips are already in place for an even better run in 2023.

Offense is something the club lacked last year. Manny Machado carried the lineup for much of the season. When they acquired Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals, the team didn’t have quite enough. In particular, it was power the Padres never seemed to find.

Abreu might not be the best player to offer them home run pop. He did, after all, see his power numbers decline last year. The potent San Diego lineup can still find ways to score runs even if Abreu’s best power numbers are behind him. He remains a hitter capable of batting .300+ which should help as long as Machado and Soto continue to do their thing in front of him.

If Abreu ends up in Southern California, the Cubs and White Sox will have to reassess their plans at first base. The White Sox could move Andrew Vaughn there and look for upgrades elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Cubs have far less satisfying internal options. Padres trade deadline acquisition, Josh Bell, might actually be the best fit for them given his age and how soon we can expect the Cubs to compete.

Abreu leaving Chicago for San Diego would be a great move for him and the Padres. Potentially in his twilight, it’s a great destination to potentially win a championship. The weather isn’t so bad either.