The 2017 season is officially over for the White Sox, but for Rick Hahn, it is just beginning. He has some big decisions to make this offseason. The biggest being whether or not he should re-sign, trade, or do nothing with Jose Abreu and Avi Garcia.
The two things Rick Hahn is going to be mulling over the most is the age of Abreu, and the fact that Avi has only had one legitimately good season. Will Abreu start to decline by the time the White Sox are contending? Is Avi’s career year just a fluke? They are questions worth thinking long and hard about.
Right now, I think if you have to trade one of them it has to be Avi. This isn’t a knock on him or anything like that, but his current value will never be higher and the White Sox have three stud outfield prospects in the minors. He is also just 26 years old, and could help a team for the next 4-6 years.
One big factor that Hahn might look at while deciding Abreu’s fate is his fitness level. This year Abreu was noticeably quicker and lighter on his feet. He proved that by smacking a career high 6 triples in 2017. When he first joined the White Sox he weighed about 265. Now, Abreu is around 245-250. The results not only showed on the base paths, but also defensively as well. After a rough start to the season at first base, Abreu got better and better and had his best defensive season at first base overall. If he continues to show progression with his fitness levels, it could really impact his health and help him play better, longer. And even if he does lose a step in the next few seasons, his bat will definitely be of use at DH.
Avi Garcia also tributes his recent success to his fitness level, and he claims he is still trying to cut even more weight before next season. (He is currently 240 now). I honestly do think that this version of Avi can be sustainable. Do I think he is going to hit .330 every year? No. But he can hit around .300 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI’s. His approach at the plate and how he handled off-speed stuff this year backs that up. This year, we saw Avi use the whole field to hit more than we ever have before. Especially up the middle. It seemed like every time Avi went against an off-speed pitch, he was able to keep his hands back and drive it back up the middle, which is exactly what you are supposed to do with breaking balls. All of this points to his maturity as a batter, and while it took longer than many would have liked, it looks like something has finally clicked.
Unless the White Sox are completely blown away by an offer for Abreu or Avi this Winter, I think they should and will hold onto both. Now that they have arguably the best farm system in baseball, they can be more patient in trying to trade older veterans away. Rick Hahn has done enough as to where fans can trust he will not trade players just to trade them. Besides their skills as baseball players, Avi and Abreu are invaluable to a young clubhouse. Especially with Yoan Moncada still learning and fellow Cubans Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert on the way.
Is it possible that one, or both of Abreu and Avi are traded? Absolutely. However, my gut feeling right now is that they both stay at least for now. With the postseason going on right now, the market is not ready to develop. Regardless, it is sure to be another interesting winter for Rick Hahn and the rest of the White Sox front office. If they don’t listen to offers for either player then they wouldn’t be doing their job. Time will tell if Hahn gets one good enough to pull the trigger.
