José Abreu didn’t need interpreter Billy Russo when asked how he was feeling with one week remaining in Spring Training during a Monday Zoom following a 7-2 White Sox victory over the Giants.

“I’m feeling good,” said Abreu in English, followed by a broad smile.

Abreu feels good personally, after missing the start of Spring Training in compliance with MLB intake protocols due to a positive COVID test. He joked the only lingering side effect was “the desire to keep working hard.”

Abreu also feels good about this talented young White Sox core, which the first baseman has talked up as a future championship contender when the organization still was in the midst of its full-on rebuild two years ago. But Abreu went out of his way to praise the intricate knowledge and overall confidence fostered by manager Tony La Russa during the Hall of Famer’s first year in his second stint as White Sox manager.

Abreu shared that feeling concerning La Russa’s leadership during a conversation with his wife a few days ago.

“This year is my eighth year coming to Spring Training and being with the White Sox. This is the first year that I've been feeling really good and comfortable,” said Abreu through Russo. “I think it is because of the plan that Tony has. He knows the time that we as a player need to spend on the field. He knows when you need to rest.

“He knows how to take control of how you measure your work. The atmosphere that he has created along with the coaches has been outstanding. We're putting special emphasis on the little things. We're working on specific areas of the game that we need to in order to win games and to be a complete team. I feel really happy to have him and be part of this team at this moment.”

Other members of the team have praised La Russa and his coaching staff for their great attention to detail and purposeful actions, even before Abreu spoke. This setup from the manager with 2,728 career victories and three World Series titles is something the team really needed, according to Abreu, leaving the White Sox excited for the upcoming season and not just because of their high talent level.

“We are in a very good position,” Abreu said. “We’ve done a lot of good stuff to prepare for this season and we are just ready to start playing games and to do what we know we can do together.

“Everybody has done the job that they are required to do during this Spring Training in order to be ready for the season. [The young players] are improving, they are doing a bunch of work to get better and to be in a good position to help us as a team, to have a good season. We all know where we are going, and we all know what’s our goal.”

• Notes: Reynaldo López among roster cuts

Getting his body ready becomes the key in Arizona for Abreu’s regular-season preparedness. But he also has been working with hitting coach Frank Menechino and assistant hitting coach Howie Clark, and he's been talking with and listening a great deal to Hall of Famer Jim Thome, a special assistant to the general manager.

Abreu said the team is blessed to have a guy such as Thome around.

“He always has something good to tell you,” Abreu said. “He always has good advice. It has been a plus for us having him around us. He’s been with us the whole camp. For me especially, it has been a very good Spring Training. I feel good right now.”

Good enough for Abreu to potentially repeat his 2020 American League Most Valuable Player performance or top the AL in RBIs for a third straight season. He seems ready to flourish under La Russa’s guidance, adding, “It is a blessing to be around someone like Tony.”

Of course, Abreu also is ready to help White Sox teammates whenever needed.

“I’m always open to give some words of encouragement. That’s why I’m here,” Abreu said. “I’m here to play but also to help the other guys to get better. That’s one of the things that excites me the most.”