CUBAN DEFECTOR ABREU AGREES TO $68M DEAL TO PLAY FOR WHITE SOX
Chicago White Sox: Cuban slugger Jose Abreu has agreed to a six-year, $68 million contract with the White Sox, a person familiar with the situation said Friday.
The person spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced and was pending a physical.
Several media outlets earlier had reported the agreement.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Abreu could play first base or serve as the designated hitter.
He batted .360 (9 for 25) with three home runs and nine RBIs at the World Baseball Classic last spring, and he defected over the summer.
Abreu joins a team that went 63-99 in the AL Central this season.
With Adam Dunn signed through next season and Abreu in the mix, there might not be room for Paul Konerko. At 37 and with an expiring contract, the former Scottsdale Chaparral star might have played his last season with the White Sox — or any other team. NY Yankees: Hearings on the grievance to overturn Alex Rodriguez’s 211-game suspension recessed Friday for a month after Major League Baseball completed its direct case.
The session was the eighth before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, who unless the case is settled will decide whether to uphold the penalty issued Aug. 5, overturn it or change the length.
Rob Manfred, MLB’s chief operating officer, completed his testimony Friday. Rodriguez’s legal team will call witnesses when the hearing resumes, likely the week of Nov. 18.
MLB disciplined Rodriguez following its investigation of the defunct Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic, alleging the New York Yankees third baseman violated the sport’s drug agreement and labor contract. Oakland: Rookie RHP Sonny Gray had surgery on his left thumb, having a screw inserted to repair a fracture, which he suffered on a comebacker from Detroit’s Prince Fielder in Oakland’s Game 5 division series loss Oct. 10.
The A’s say Gray now has full stability in his thumb, and he is expected to be fully recovered in time for spring training come February.