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Report: White Sox more likely to move Eaton than Abreu

Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago White Sox could be ready to trade one of its many coveted assets this offseason.

The team is more likely to deal outfielder Adam Eaton rather than first baseman Jose Abreu when the winter meetings get underway Dec. 4, a rival executive said, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.

It's possible a proper rebuild is in the cards, as the club confirmed recently it would be willing to trade players with under four years of control. The Toronto Blue Jays were one team that were high on Eaton and showed interest in the 27-year-old.

Other than ace Chris Sale - who's been at the forefront of trade rumors since July - Eaton represents the team's most valuable asset coming off a season when he led the team in OBP (.362), runs scored (91), triples (nine), and was first in WAR (six) by a wide margin. His defensive metrics in center field were also impressive, ranking third in baseball with 22 defensive runs saved behind Kevin Pillar and Mookie Betts.

Eaton will earn $4 million in 2017 and is under team control through 2021. He will be paid $6 million in 2018, $8.4 million in 2019, has a $9.5-million team option for 2020, and a $10.5-million team option in 2021.

Abreu, meanwhile, recently opted out of his contract in order to go through arbitration on a year-by-year approach in order to maximize his value. Last season, Abreu suffered the worst first half of his career, hitting .272/.326/.430 but picked up significantly down the stretch with a .319/.384/.514 slash line, including eight home runs in August.

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