Abreu, Robert firmly in AL MVP conversation

White Sox first baseman José Abreu and rookie center fielder Luis Robert Jr. stand front and center in the 2020 American League MVP Award conversation with 24 games left to play.

Shortstop Tim Anderson and left fielder Eloy Jiménez also have the numbers to work their way into the mix. But Abreu spoke for the team once again Wednesday when stressing how individual accolades are appreciated, but team excellence remains the ultimate goal.

“The answer is simple. We're just going to keep working. I'm going to keep working,” Abreu said through interpreter Billy Russo. “My goal, I have individual goals set for the season. I probably will let you know what those goals are at the end of the season.

“In the meantime, we just have to keep working. I have to keep working to get the results that we want every single day and to help the team and just keep working with the other guys.”

On Wednesday, Robert was named AL Rookie of the Month for August and Abreu was named AL Player of the Month, but the duo immediately pointed out these were awards representative of the entire team. Robert praised Abreu, Jiménez and Edwin Encarnación for working with him and helping him get through this first big league season, while Abreu talked about working with players such as right fielder Nomar Mazara, where he feels comfortable and can produce as they know he can.

Abreu added that helping Robert earn as many accolades as possible was one of his preseason goals.

“Just as a team, we need to keep working and keep helping each other to get better as a team,” Abreu said. “We're going to be able to see the results at the end of the season.”

“I'm not surprised at their reaction,” White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. “Again, these guys are hard-working players that have a talent that know they're seeking more than just personal accolades. They really want to be a part of something bigger than that. It speaks well of them, obviously, and I would say it probably speaks well of all those guys because I do believe that's the way they all feel.”

Robert admitted that every athlete wants to be the best or do all he can to get the best from himself.

“If that means for me at the end of the season that I'm in the conversation for MVP, it would be good,” Robert said through Russo. “But if I’m not, it would be good, too. The only thing I can control is just be the best I can be and do the best every day.

“In that aspect, if the results are good, the results are bad, that's something I can control. If that is an award that is in my future, I won't complain about that.”

Having fun with Abreu
White Sox fans had a good time making social media memes and captioning a picture of Abreu yelling and making faces as he scored from first on Jiménez's double in the first inning of Tuesday’s loss. Abreu smiled through his mask when asked about the moment on Wednesday.

“We're having fun as a team, and that's important. That's what makes me do things like last night,” Abreu said. “In life, things come and go, and you have to try to live your life in peace. That's what I'm trying to do, and I think that's one of the reasons why I've been able to enjoy this moment, this success that we're having right now as a team without having anything else holding me back.”

Abreu made one humorous request of Jiménez.

“Next time, I would like for him to hit more baseballs in the stands,” Abreu said. “That way I don't have to run as fast as I did yesterday.”

Third to first
• Abreu (12) and Jiménez (10) became the first teammates in White Sox history to hit 10-plus homers through the team's first 31 games.

• Third baseman Yoán Moncada returned Wednesday from a three-game absence caused by left hamstring soreness, but Renteria hopes it won't be a lingering problem.

“The training staff has found a way to try to manage it,” Renteria said.

He said it
“For us, he's the Mike Trout of the Cubans. I'm going to do all I can to make him a better player every day.” -- Abreu on Robert.