Report: White Sox Near $68M Deal With Abreu
(CBS) -- Highly sought-after Cuban slugger Jose Abreu reportedly is finalizing the terms of a contract with the Chicago White Sox.
The six-year deal is worth $68 million – the largest first-time contract for an international player – FOX Sports national baseball writer Ken Rosenthal tweeted Thursday evening.
Abreu's average annual value of $11.33M will be nearly twice that of Puig's $6M. Cuban first baseman represented by Praver-Shapiro.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 18, 2013
Jose Abreu finalizing terms on six-year, $68M deal. Club expected to be #WhiteSox. Deal will be largest first-time contract for int'l player
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 18, 2013
Earlier, MLB.com reported the Astros and Red Sox were also in the running to acquire Abreu, 26, a right-handed-hitting first baseman.
The White Sox had no comment Thursday evening.
Abreu, 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, hit .360 (9-for-25) with three home runs and nine RBIs in six games in this year's World Baseball Classic.
In 2010, Abreu earned MVP honors for the Cuban league after hitting .453 with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs in just 66 games.
Abreu defected from Cuba in August and established residency in Haiti.
