Most Consistent White Sox Hitter May No Longer Be Around Next Season

Jose Abreu could be playing for a new team next season with word that the Chicago White Sox are letting him go. Quinn Harris/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

The White Sox are reportedly cutting ties with Jose Abreu
The White Sox are coming off a disappointing season
The White Sox are looking to replace Tony La Russa with a veteran team manager

The Chicago White Sox know that they need to address their team moving forward, and there may be some players on the way out.

Unfortunately, it appears that one of them will be former American League MVP Jose Abreu.

Abreu has spent the last nine years with the White Sox, undoubtedly one of the prominent figures on the team.

However, there are alleged plans to part ways this offseason per a report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

"The White Sox loved having José Abreu the past nine years, and has been nothing but a class act and valuable hitter, but they plan to part ways with him," the scribe claimed.

Such a move could be a daunting one for Chicago, especially considering Abreu has been known to be a consistent hitter in his entire MLB career.

When he joined the White Sox in 2014, the 35-year-old Cuban baseball player slashed .292/.354/.506 over his nine years with the team.

In addition, Abreu hit 243 home runs with 863 RBI.

Moreover, he has also reached the 25+ homer and 100+ RBI thresholds six times in his nine seasons.

Abreu is decorated, having won the 2020 AL MVP award as well as being adjudged the AL Rookie of the Year in 2014.

Moreover, he has been named an All-Star three times.

Aside from these individual accolades, Abreu has also been known to be a mentor to young players in the White Sox locker room.

However, changes are needed especially after Chicago's disappointing performance this season where they finished 81-81.

"Simply, they need to shake up their team, and are making virtually everyone but Dylan Cease and Andrew Vaughn available in trades," Nightengale added.

The disappointing finish muffed the expectations of management and pundits who felt the White Sox could have figured more prominently in 2022.

Instead, they struggled and finished 11 games behind the Cleveland Guardians.

Furthermore, there is another vacancy that needs to be filled–Chicago's next team manager.

Tony La Russa announced that he was stepping down from his post and the word that is going around is that the White Sox are looking for a veteran manager to succeed him.

"Some managers who fit the bill: Bruce Bochy, Mike Shildt, Ron Washington, John Gibbons, Bo Porter, Joe Girardi, Joe Maddon," Nightengale enumerated.