White Sox, Jose Abreu reportedly discussing long-term contract extension

Jose Abreu is a free agent this offseason and could be looking at re-signing with the Chicago White Sox.

Abreu and the White Sox are discussing a long-term contract extension, according to a report from ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Initially an international free agent, Abreu signed a 6-year, $68 million deal with Chicago six years ago. He opted out of the deal after three years and signed one-year contracts each of the last three seasons, making $16 million last year and $13 million the year before.

The White Sox extended Abreu a qualifying offer for $17.8 million next season, which would hinder his suitors in free agency, as teams would be reluctant to lose a draft pick to sign him. If he does not want the one-year deal, some long-term security could make sense for both parties.

Turning 33 in January, Abreu has made All-Star teams in consecutive years for the Sox and led the league in RBIs last season with 123. He has a career .862 OPS, though that mark was at .834 last season. The White Sox could use his steady bat in a lineup that now features emerging youngsters Eloy Jimenez and Joan Moncada.