Report: Cuban Jose Abreu narrows list to Astros, Red Sox, White Sox

Cuban free agent Jose Abreu reportedly has narrowed his list to three MLB teams. (Yuki Taguchi/Getty Images) Cuban free agent Jose Abreu has narrowed the list

Cuban free agent Jose Abreu reportedly has narrowed his list to three MLB teams. (Yuki Taguchi/Getty Images)

Cuban free agent Jose Abreu has narrowed the list of teams he potentially will sign with to the Astros, Red Sox and White Sox, according MLB.com.

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com subsequently reported the White Sox were leading the chase for Abreu. Other reports have said the slugger's deal with Chicago is finalized, pending a physical.

The 26-year-old first baseman is expected to sign a contract in the range of $70 million, according to ESPN's Buster Olney via Twitter. The Giants, Marlins and Rangers were believed to be the teams having the most interest in the 6-foot-3, 250-pound right-handed batter.

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Abreu won 2011 Most Valuable Player honors in Cuba after hitting .453 with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs in just 66 games. He more recently hit .360 with three homers and nine RBIs in six games during the World Baseball Classic in March.

The immediate impact of Cuban import Yasiel Puig on the Dodgers in 2013 has raised the interest in Abreu.

Not all MLB scouts are sold on Abreu, according to an ESPN report:

"Multiple scouts used the term "slider-speed bat" in reference to Abreu. Translation: He might be challenged against pitchers who can crowd him with fastballs on the inner half of the plate."