Jose Abreu put together yet another productive season on the South Side, and coaches and managers around the league have taken notice once again.
This morning, it was announced that Abreu was one of four finalists for the 2022 AL Silver Slugger Award at first base. The other three finalists are Nate Lowe, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and Anthony Rizzo. These nominations are based on MLB managers’ and coaches’ votes.
Abreu is a three-time Silver Slugger winner, so it’s not rare for him to be nominated for this award. It was another successful season for Abreu, despite an uncharacteristic lack of home runs that may be attributable to leg injuries that he played through during the second half of the season. Abreu slashed .304/.378/.446 on the season with 15 home runs, good for a 138 wRC+ and 3.9 fWAR. Among qualified AL first basemen, here’s where Abreu ranked:
- fWAR: 1st
- AVG: 2nd
- HR: 9th
- SLG: 4th
- wOBA: 2nd
- wRC+: 2nd
Across his nine seasons in Chicago, Abreu has .292/.354/.506 with 243 home runs, 863 runs batted in, a .860 OPS, 133 wRC+, and a .364 wOBA. He amassed 31.9 bWAR and 27.7 fWAR, both of which are the 19th-highest in franchise history. Overall, the Cuban appeared in 1,270 games, registered 5,506 plate appearances, and became both a fan favorite and unofficial team captain along the way.
With Abreu as an impending free agent, it will likely fall on Andrew Vaughn’s shoulders to continue Abreu’s production at first base. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was a guest on 670 The Score’s “Inside the Clubhouse” in recent weeks and said that it’s unlikely the team’s veteran first baseman will return in 2023.
“I don’t think there’s any way in the world they bring back Jose Abreu,” Nightengale commented blatantly. “I love the guy. He still had a strong season, but you got to change things up in there.”
With the White Sox still searching for a manager, Abreu’s contract status is one of just a number of question marks for the White Sox heading into 2023. But, until we get there, Abreu will continue to be celebrated for his consistent prouduction.
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Featured Image: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
We wonder why we can’t get marquee free agents. Some want to get somewhere and PLANT ROOTS. You can’t retire as a White Sox, which SUCKS.
He didn’t learn from Jordan (Bulls), Frank Thomas, Mark Buehrle, Chris Sale, etc. We will learn from Jose Abreu, I expect. I’d still rather have Abreu than Vaughn. He’s simply BETTER, even at his age.