MLB Player News

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, who signed a six-year, $68 million contract in October, took part in Tuesday's minicamp and gave White Sox personnel plenty to rave about.

"That's a strong man right here," White Sox hitting coach Todd Steverson told MLB.com. "That's a big man. He has a nice smooth, compact approach. He didn't try to do too much with the ball and the ball was flying off his bat. I think he has a nice bright future coming up with him."

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn is doing his best to temper his excitement, but he was having a hard time doing so after watching Abreu take several rounds of batting practice.

"We try to keep in mind that it's Jan. 14 and we still have a ways to go," Hahn said. "But just watching Jose go through his work, you saw that professionalism as well as the plus-plus power on display today in only his first couple of rounds of BP. He's a very serious hitter. He's one who goes up there with a plan and has a great deal of ability, and it's going to be fun to see how this plays out over the next couple of years."

The Indians continue to toy with the idea of using Carlos Santana at third base. Santana hasn't played third base since he was a minor leaguer with the Dodgers, but he's playing third base in the Dominican Winter League to increase his versatility.

Though, it's been a shaky transition for Santana, who committed four errors in his first eight games playing third in the Dominican Winter League.

"The most important thing is that he's working hard at it," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti told MLB.com. "He's committed to being the best player he can be at the position, which is great. That's all we're looking for at this point. We're months away from having to make any sort of evaluations or decisions."

During an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Astros manager Bo Porter gave no indication who might start at first base. The Astros have plenty of candidates, though, including Brett Wallace, Jesus Guzman, Chris Carter and prospect Jonathan Singleton.

"It’s going to be a heated competition," Porter said. "I like the guys that we have. At the end of the day, I believe that the player that ends up winning the first-base job will obviously make our lineup and make us a better team."

MLB.com Angels' beat writer Alden Gonzalez suggests Angels first base prospect C.J. Cron could make his MLB debut as soon as the middle of the 2014 season. Gonzalez feels Cron could be an option at DH for the Angels this season.

Cron is considered the Angels' second-best prospect by MLB.com. Cron hit .274 with a .428 slugging percentage and .746 OPS in 134 games for Double-A Arkansas in 2013. He had 14 home runs, 36 doubles and 83 RBI.

Gonzalez said Cron struggled with some of the bigger parks in the Texas League. However, Cron did very well in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League, batting .413 with a .700 slugging percentage and 1.167 OPS in 20 games. He also had one triple, five home runs, six doubles and 20 RBI.

While Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo led his team with 23 home runs, 40 doubles and 80 RBI in 2013, he hit just .233 and .191 with runners in scoring position. Rizzo admitted his poor average was a result of putting too much pressure on himself, according to MLB.com.

"I have the expectation every year to hit my peak, whether it's in the big leagues or in Little League," he said. "Once it gets down to where maybe the numbers aren't where I want them to be, I try a little harder. Throughout the year, with the exception of a few bad ruts, I hit the ball pretty decent."

Rizzo predicts 2014 will be different and he's looking forward to playing for new manager Rick Renteria, who Rizzo had worked previously with during his tenure with the Padres.

"[Renteria] was great when I was there in San Diego -- especially when I got sent down," Rizzo said. "He told me he had no doubt in his mind that I'd be a great player and not to let it shake me or anything. That was nice and encouraging. He did that on the side. My time there was kind of a blur. I just know he's a great person."

Twins first baseman Chris Colabello has rejected an offer to play in the Korea Baseball Organization, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins have reportedly been in discussions with at least one KBO team to send Colabello to South Korea for a buyout that could have been upwards of $1 million. Colabello hit .352/.427/.639 with 24 home runs and 76 RBI in 338 at-bats at the Triple-A level last season.

The Twins are having discussions with at least one Korea Baseball Organization league team about sending first baseman Chris Colabello to Korea for a buyout fee that could be upwards of $1 million, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Colabellohit .194/.287/.344 with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 160 at-bats with the Twins during his rookie season. He enjoyed a breakout season in Triple-A, however, hitting .352/.427/.639 with 24 home runs and 76 RBI in 338 at-bats.

The Twins are looking to clear a 40-man roster spot after agreeing to a contract with catcher Kurt Suzuki.

Indians catcher Carlos Santana, who is expected to primarly fill the designated hitter role for the Indians next season, has been working at third base in the Dominican Winter League, and the team considers the results so far "encouraging," the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

"It’s still very early in the process," general manager Chris Antonetti said. "Sarbie has been down there for a few days with Carlos. He’s made a couple of errors, but so far the reports have been encouraging. He made two errors in one game, but he also made a nice diving play."

Santana's most recent exposure to the position during a season was for one game with high class A Inland Empire in 2008.

"It’s not like the regular season starts when winter ball ends and we have to figure out if he’s at third base or not," said Antonetti. "We can continue the process in spring training. We really don’t have to make a decision until we start putting the club together later in camp."

Santana has made 58 appearances at third base during his minor-league career and none while in the majors.

Cleveland is willing to listen to offers for shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, according to FoxSports.com.

The deal makes sense in the long-term, as shortstop Francisco Lindor is considered one of the best prospects in baseball. Cabrera is coming off a poor season, in which he hit .242/.299/.402 in 508 at-bats. Cabrera's contract is up after this season.

Faced with a bevy of arbitration-eligible players ahead of Monday's non-tender deadline, the Braves opted to bring back all but three of them. Only one was actually signed to a contract, as the team agreed to undisclosed terms on a one-year deal with infielder Ramiro Pena, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The team also tendered contracts to nine other players, whose salaries for 2014 will be determined by the arbitration process, unless contracts can be agreed upon. Pitchers Craig Kimbrel, Brandon Beachy, Kris Medlen, Mike Minor and Jordan Walden; infielders Freddie Freeman and Chris Johnson and outfielders Jason Heyward and Jordan Schafer will all return to the team next season.