Levine: Jose Abreu Takes Pride In Playing Only First Base, Bettering The White Sox

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- When Adam LaRoche retired, the role of White Sox first baseman became Jose Abreu's to keep. The 28-year-old Cuban slugger expects to do just that.

Asked if he welcomed using the designated hitter position for a rest as needed, the easygoing and affable Abreu made it clear he wants to help the White Sox as best he can, preferably at first base every game.

"I don't like too play as a DH," Abreu said emphatically through translator Billy Russo. "I am going to give my best effort to play every day at first base. At the same time, I know it's (manager Robin Ventura's) decision to make and do what's best for the team. Yes, my goal is to play every day at first base.

"You get lazy at DH. I don't like that. The other thing is when you are playing, it doesn't matter if you go 0-for-4, if you made two good plays in the field -- you helped the team in some way. You cannot help your team if you're the DH and go 0-for-4."

I asked Abreu if he would prefer to play in the DH-less National League, and he made it clear to me I had joked with the wrong guy.

"I know you're joking, but I want to spend my career with the White Sox organization." he said. "They were the ones to give me an opportunity to play (in the United States). They have done a lot for me and my family. I am glad to be here."

The White Sox have led all of baseball in home runs this spring, with 48 through Tuesday. In 2015, Chicago hit just 136 home runs in 162 games.

Adding Todd Frazier, Brett Lawrie, Jimmy Rollins and Austin Jackson should add firepower to the lineup. The addition of Frazier may be the most important, as he'll bat cleanup behind Abreu, providing that lineup protection the latter hasn't received in a White Sox uniform.

Off the field, Abreu and Frazier are clicking too.

"What is even more important to me is what kind of person he is," Abreu said of Frazier. "He is an outstanding person. You can see the kind of guy he is, always smiling. He is like that if we win or lose. Having him could be huge for us on the field. We will see how it works out during the season. Yes, I am very happy to have him on the team."

Abreu sidestepped a question about whether the LaRoche saga and blow-up in some way made the players closer.

"I don't like to talk about those topics," Abreu said. "The only thing I can say is we are a very good team and the White Sox is our priority."

One topic Abreu won't discount is that he could be a 40-homer, 120-RBI man this season with the improved lineup around him. If he can do that, it means others were doing their job around him and the White Sox figure to be a better team.

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.