Not only is the biggest contract in White Sox history, but it is also the biggest first contract handed out to an international player in MLB history. (Darvish's negotiation fee doesn't count)

That picture is awesome. Also, he does not look fat or out of shape at all. He looks big and muscular.

I can't see him opting out after three years anyway. I believe the highest 4th year player award is still Ryan Howards $10mil. His 4th year is scheduled to be at $10.5 million. It would '18 and '19 that the Sox could get hit, as they comps get going to higher paid players instead of lower arb status players.

 

That's not how it'l work though, they'll talk about the highest 4th year RAISES instead of total salaries. It'll be that Ryan Howard got an extra $10m or whatever.

That's not how it'l work though, they'll talk about the highest 4th year RAISES instead of total salaries. It'll be that Ryan Howard got an extra $10m or whatever.

 

Not true according to BP

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article....articleid=15864

 

The following evidence is admissable:

 

The quality of the player's contribution to his club during the past season (including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal).

The length and consistency of his career contribution.

The record of the player's past compensation.

Comparative baseball salaries (the arbitration panel is provided with a table of confidential baseball salaries for all players broken down by years of service).

The existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the player.

The recent performance of the club, including but not limited to his league standing and attendance.

 

In the 1985 labor agreement, the owners were able to address that in part. The current CBA contains this clause: "The arbitration panel shall, except for a Player with five or more years of Major League service, give particular attention, for comparative salary purposes, to the contracts of Players with Major League service not exceeding one annual service group above the Player's annual service group."

 

In other words, Super Twos can be compared to Super Twos and three-year players, but not four-year players. Threes can be compared to other threes and fours, but not fives. The exception is that fives can compare themselves to anyone, just like free agents. Aramis Ramirez says, "hi."

 

Garfein just tweeted a picture of Abreu wiping tears away walking on field

Garfein just tweeted a picture of Abreu wiping tears away walking on field

Most would link.

Most would link.

 

http://twitpic.com/dj8o59

I can't wait to win a World Series with this guy

http://twitpic.com/dj8o59

I'd be sobbing too if I'd just signed that contract, let alone coming from where he did. Let's hope this kid is a monster.

 

I can't wait to win a World Series with this guy

Take it easy, chief. Stop talking for awhile.

I'd be sobbing too if I'd just signed that contract, let alone coming from where he did. Let's hope this kid is a monster.

 

 

Take it easy, chief. Stop talking for awhile.

Agreed, we're not talking 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5

Does he seem like a good clubhouse guy? Or does he have a Puig attitude?

Does he seem like a good clubhouse guy? Or does he have a Puig attitude?

 

**** THE MEDIA!

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/white-sox/...cuban-precedent

 

Doug Padilla | ESPNChicago.com

 

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CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura pointed to the production of Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig as a sign that his new first baseman can help turn around an offense that was among the worst in baseball this past season.

 

Speaking via conference call Tuesday not long after the White Sox made the signing of Jose Abreu official, Ventura said he believes the club’s new addition from Cuba can follow the trail blazed by Cuban natives like Cespedes of the Oakland A’s and Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

“It’s an adjustment for anybody but (Abreu) is playing against some pretty good talent (in Cuba),’ Ventura said. “You go by the precedent that has been set by guys that have come over recently, Cespedes and Puig, that where he’s playing and what you’re seeing can translate into the majors leagues.

 

“What and how much, that’s up to him and how he produces. It’s the opportunity for him. Instead of just thinking it’s risky, it’s risky to have any free agent, but you’re going by his age and the future and what you’re willing to go after. He’s going to have an opportunity and hopefully he’ll be fun to watch.”

 

The 26-year-old Abreu is generally considered to be a better all-around hitter than both Cespedes and Puig. Over the last four seasons in Cuba, including postseason appearances, Abreu batted .392 and averaged 33 home runs a year.

 

White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams and international scouting director Marco Paddy signed off on the decision to pursue Abreu after both were wowed during a recent workout. Ventura’s knowledge on Abreu, for now, comes from what he has heard rather than what he has witnessed for himself.

 

“Most of (the information) you’re going to get info from scouts and I’ve seen stuff on video,” Ventura said. “But again you go by reports from, Kenny who has seen him and our scouts who have seen him. I know he has power but watching (World Baseball Classic) games, he’s more polished than just a power hitter. That’s exciting.”

 

The White Sox have yet to commit to a spot for Abreu in the batting order, but Ventura seems set on batting him anywhere from third to fifth.

 

“You’d like to have signed him knowing we were looking for something in the middle of the order,” Ventura said. “Ideally that’s where we you’d like him to be. That’s subject to change. We’ll look at it when we go to spring training and you see who we have and how flexible we can be with people moving around. For him, we signed him to be somewhere in the middle of the lineup so ideally that’s where you’d like to see him.”

 

Since the middle of this past season the White Sox have been able to revamp the heart of the order first with the late-July acquisition of 22-year-old Avisail Garcia and now with the signing of Abreu.

 

“You’re getting players at an age when you’re not just seeing them for one year and it’s a stop-gap thing,” Ventura said. “We’re looking more for helping us now and in the future. I think (general manager) Rick (Hahn) has done a great job of being able to do that, navigating through the trade deadline and this, before the (domestic) free agent market is really open for business.”

Take it easy, chief. Stop talking for awhile.

 

Well I think they are planning on multiple titles, but the first one is going to be so, so sweet

If we signed someone else like Grandy or McCann we'd be "becoming the Miami Heat of MLB [ESPN'S SportsNation]"

This was NOT said about us, but the Yankees, rather. It's just what they say when an MLB team makes a couple mega-signings.

Edited October 29, 201312 yr by ChiSoxFan05

That picture is awesome. Also, he does not look fat or out of shape at all. He looks big and muscular.

 

He looks lean...........and handsome, I might add.

Does he seem like a good clubhouse guy? Or does he have a Puig attitude?

 

He's a big teddy bear, says he doesn't like to go out much etc.

 

If we signed someone else like Grandy or McCann we'd be "becoming the Miami Heat of MLB [ESPN'S SportsNation]"

This was NOT said about us, but the Yankees, rather. It's just what they say when an MLB team makes a couple mega-signings.

Huh?

Huh?

If we were to sign another big name then SportsNation will start referring to us as the Heat of the MLB. (Signing LBJ, Bosh)

If we were to sign another big name then SportsNation will start referring to us as the Heat of the MLB. (Signing LBJ, Bosh)

 

No they would not. They would have to spend about $500 million this offseason and bring in every free agent.

 

If they are going to refer to a team as "the Heat of the MLB," it's the Dodgers.

Edited October 29, 201312 yr by witesoxfan

If we were to sign another big name then SportsNation will start referring to us as the Heat of the MLB. (Signing LBJ, Bosh)

 

Who watches SportsNation

Who watches SportsNation

This.

What is SportsNation?

Does he seem like a good clubhouse guy? Or does he have a Puig attitude?

 

I think it was Puig or Chapman or someone who said that Abreu is a quiet and reserved player. Humble and doesn't get too high on himself. Hopefully that's true.

What is SportsNation?

An old show with Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle on it. Too bad it's not on anymore.