Emma: As Sox Strive For Contention, Abreu Struggles To Stay Positive
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Wherever he goes, or so it seems, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu brings his bat.
From his locker stall in the clubhouse, down the steps to the batting cage and out the door to the dugout, Abreu grips that bat. He holds it tight and with two hands, ready to swing at all times.
Abreu takes great pride in what he does with that bat. He broke into the big leagues as one of two players to hit at least 30 home runs and knock in 100 RBIs in each of his first two seasons. The other was Albert Pujols.
So, as struggles have met Abreu in his third year in the majors, they have come with frustration. His issues go hand in hand with the White Sox's inconsistencies this season, because they've missed their slugger on a regular basis.
"It has been a challenge every single day during this whole season to try to be positive," Abreu said through translator Billy Russo on Tuesday before the White Sox's 3-0 win over the Cubs. "Especially in the bad stretches we've been through, because you always want to do better. But when the results aren't there, sometimes, you get a little frustrated.
"The thing you have to keep in your mind is that you can do better every single day, that you can help the team win games, that you can do better. That's one of the things you can control -- one of the only things you can control in this game, because there are so many factors out of your hands."
Abreu had two hits and knocked in a run in the victory Tuesday. He's been steady at the plate as of late, hitting .312 since the start of June with an OPS of .846 (entering Tuesday's game), but he's below replacement level on the season as a -0.1 WAR on FanGraphs. His average stands at just .276 after the victory, even after a recent run of success at the plate.
What's also alarming for Abreu is that he has just 11 home runs on the season. His HR/FB rate went from 26.9 percent in his rookie season of 2014 down to just 10.9 percent this year, and he gets hard contact on just 30.9 percent of his batted balls.
At 29 years old, it's natural to wonder if Abreu has declined at all. White Sox manager Robin Ventura denied that thought, believing he sees the same player once again.
"He shows up every day," Ventura said of Abreu. "Great teammate, works hard, all of that. But you could see that there was some frustration with the expectations he puts on himself. Right now, he's a lot better off at the plate, just mechanically, mentally, all the things that go into it. He's just a better hitter right now."
Abreu disagreed with Ventura in assessing the 2016 season to this point.
"I'm very disappointed," Abreu said. "I'm not satisfied with the things that I've been doing, because I now that I can do better and do more for this team. But that's baseball."
The White Sox returned to the .500 mark with their victory Tuesday. They have won four straight games and are playing good ball again, but the trade deadline looms. After starting the season 23-10, the White Sox stumbled dramatically, then have floated around the break-even mark ever since.
White Sox executive vice president Kenny Williams wouldn't commit to a direction for the team, even with contention more than a winning streak away. It's also worth noting that one year ago today, the White Sox similarly won their fourth straight game in a streak that would convince them to stand pat at the deadline.
"To say that we're going to be buyers or sellers or both — some combination — we just don't know," Williams said.
Abreu believes in his White Sox. Of course, had he performed up to the standard set in 2014 or 2015 -- or even slightly above replacement level -- the White Sox wouldn't be "mired in mediocrity" this season, as general manager Rick Hahn stated last week.
White Sox players have made their case known that this team can still contend. It's up to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, Williams and Hahn to decide their course of action, and soon. Sure, the White Sox could look to trade Chris Sale, Abreu, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, Adam Eaton or just about anybody else, but that's the last move Abreu and his teammates want to see.
During a difficult 2016 season, Abreu has struggled to stay positive. Still, he believes that bat can carry the White Sox to contention.
"I hope that we can continue to win some games," said Abreu, "and at the end of the season, who knows? We can be in the fight for a spot to the playoffs."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.