Cuban slugger Jose Abreu has agreed to a massive six-year contract with $68 million with the White Sox, per multiple reports. The contract will be official pending a physical exam.
Jose Abreu to sign for reported $68 million with White Sox
The Cuban slugger has reached agreement with Chicago, pending a physical per multiple reports. The White Sox splurge in the free-agent market could signal the end of Paul Konerko’s tenure with the Pale Hose.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports was the first to report the deal, which was confirmed by Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Sanchez reported the Astros and Giants were also in the mix for Abreu.
Abreu's contract would shatter the record set by his fellow countryman, Yasiel Puig, who signed a six-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old first baseman, who was cleared to sign by Major League Baseball in late September, has been regarded as a bat-first prospect with questionable defense.
Apparently also in play for Abreu's services were the Rangers, per T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com:
The Rangers are definitely making a push for Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu. The are indications that Abreu is close to a decision and the Rangers could end up getting him. The White Sox are also hot after him but one source familiar with the negotiations said the Rangers are expected to land him.
The deal for Abreu could mean the end of first-base stalwart Paul Konerko’s tenure with Chicago. Konerko put up his worst-ever numbers in 2013, with a line of .244/.313/.355 and just 12 homers in 520 plate appearances.
More from SB Nation MLB:
See More:
