Sox in the Hunt for Jose Abreu But It May Be Too Late

Oct 15, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; A Boston Red Sox hat and glove on the field prior to game three of the American League Championship Series baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Recent reports indicate that the Red Sox among three teams looking to land Cuban sensation Jose Abreu. Sources say that the Chicago White Sox have the inside track on Abreu with some reporting that he may have already iced a deal with the pale hose  pending a physical, as reported by CBS Sports in this article. Still, rumors persist that Abreu will sign with either the White Sox, Red Sox or Astros.

Abreu, a 26-year old 6-foot-3, 250 pound right-handed first baseman, is expected to sign a contract somewhere in the neighborhood of $70 million, according to a tweet by ESPN’s Buster Olney.

So what has everyone’s attention? Abreu hit .345 with 19 homers and 60 RBI in just 264 at-bats during the 2012-13 Cuban season. That still wasn’t his best year and these stats are what have MLB heads turning. In 2010-11 he hit .453/.597/.986 with 33 homers and 93 RBI in in only 66 games. Read that again, do the math and let the drooling begin.

When Cuba won the 2010 Intercontinental Cup, Abreu had a slash line of .292/.320/.500. In Cuba’s six games during the 2013 World Baseball Classic, he batted .383 and hit three home runs while knocking in nine. In August 2013 he defected from Cuba, establish residency in the Dominican Republic and declared himself a free agent.