Sox make Abreu $17.8M offer
First baseman Jose Abreu has 10 days to accept a one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer the White Sox extended to him Monday.
Both the Sox and Abreu, who declared for free agency Thursday, have expressed interest in working out a deal that would bring the American League RBI champion back for at least another season.
With multiyear contract talks possibly in the works, the qualifying offer provides insurance for the Sox should Abreu reject it and sign elsewhere. In that scenario, the Sox would receive draft-pick compensation unless he waits until after the draft in June to sign. Compensation caused left-hander Dallas Keuchel and closer Craig Kimbrel to wait until after the draft to sign this past season.
If Abreu rejects the offer, he would become a free agent in a market that might be limited for a 33-year-old first baseman, his consistent offensive production in six years in the majors notwithstanding.
Abreu earned $16 million in 2019. He was one of 10 free agents to receive qualifying offers, along with Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg and third baseman Anthony Rendon, Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole, Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner and closer Will Smith, Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna, Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson, Twins right-hander Jake Odorizzi and Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler.
Not going anywhere
Designated hitter J.D. Martinez decided to stay with the Red Sox instead of becoming a free agent, declining an option that would have voided the last three years and $62.5 million of the contract he signed in spring training of 2018.
The move saves the Red Sox from shopping for a new DH but also complicates their plan to cut salaries and get under Major League Baseball’s luxury-tax threshold. The Red Sox’ payroll for the tax was a majorleague-high $243 million this season, and they have made it a goal to get under the $208 million threshold for next season.
Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus also passed up a chance to opt out of his contract and decided to stay put. He has three years and $43 million left on his deal.
Option news
The Pirates exercised their options on right-hander Chris Archer ($9 million) and outfielder Starling Marte ($11.5 million); the Brewers declined their option on first baseman Eric Thames ($7.5 million); the Braves declined their options on right-hander Julio Teheran ($12 million) and outfielder Nick Markakis ($6 million) but re-signed Markakis to a one-year, $4 million deal; and the Angels declined their option on outfielder Kole Calhoun ($14 million).
Brewers deal right-hander Anderson
The Brewers traded right-hander Chase Anderson to the Blue Jays for first baseman/ outfielder Chad Spanberger. Anderson was 8-4 with a 4.21 ERA this past season.