Will the Miami Marlins sign Jose Abreu?

The Miami Marlins need offensive help after the abysmal performance this season. First base is a priority position with multiple options available this off-season when free agency starts. Lewin Diaz has been a disaster with a -0.3 WAR and a .175/.232/.299 batting line. Jesus Aguilar wasn’t much better with a .236/.286/.388 batting line and a -0.7 WAR prior to being released. Garrett Cooper can’t stay healthy and has a .261/.337/.415 batting line with a 1.0 WAR and a low for a first baseman with 9 home runs in 414 AB. What if the Miami Marlins targeted José Abreu?!

Could the Miami Marlins sign José Abreu to play first base next season?

José Abreu has 4.2 WAR and a .304/.378/.445 batting line with 15 home runs and 75 RBI in 156 games and 598 AB. His home runs are down from 30 in 152 games and 566 AB last season, but strangely his Exit Velocity actually went up from 92.0 last season to 92.2 this season. The guy is still a good first baseman and at 35 shouldn’t be too expensive.

How much would José Abreu cost the Miami Marlins? My guess is 2-3 years at $13-15 million should do it. He’s too old for more years or millions and the drop in clinging numbers is going to be used as a way to pay him less as well. I wouldn’t even be surprised if 2 years is the most that he’s going to get.

Will the Miami Marlins even be able to sign José Abreu? Abreu played for the Chicago White Sox since 2014 and is reportedly very loyal to the team, with team owner Jerry Reinsdorf promising him a lifetime contract basically. Chicago is facing the highest payroll in team history with multiple first base/DH options on the team already however, perhaps they let him walk? How badly does loyalty truly run between these two sides?

My guess is that José Abreu ultimately resigns with the Chicago White Sox. They need their team leader back, and his veteran presence is simply irreplaceable. I don’t think that the Miami Marlins will be able to convince Abreu to switch teams. Kim Ng had some ties to their organization, but that was before Abreu was on the team.