Over the past year or so the Chicago White Sox have traded away Chris Sale, Adam Eaton, Jose Quintana, Tommy Kahnle, Todd Frazier and David Robertson as they look to completely rebuild their franchise.

They now have what is regarded by many as the best farm system in all of baseball and could be looking to deal a few more pieces to complete the rebuild.

One of those names is Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu according to what White Sox general manager Rick Hahn told Jerry Crasnick of ESPN at the winter meetings, “We have to explore. We’re still in the same spot that we were a year ago, in that we’re focused on the long term.”

Hahn told Crasnick that the Sox have fielded inquiries on Abreu and outfielder Avisail Garcia during the winter meetings.

Abreu, 30, is coming off from a strong 2017 season in which he hit .304/.354/.552 with 43 doubles, 33 home runs, 102 RBI and led the American League with 343 total bases. His 138 wRC+ was tied for 19th in the majors and eclipsed his mark of 120 wRC+ in 2016.

The right-handed hitting slugger posted a 4.7 WAR while having arguably his best season defensively with 0 DRS and a career-best 0.5 UZR at first.

In his four seasons in the big leagues Abreu has a 162-game average of 38 doubles, 33 home runs, 108 RBI and a .301/.359/.524 slash line.

He has also filled an important leadership role on the White Sox, “He’s obviously extremely productive between the white lines, and he’s extremely important in our clubhouse,” Hahn said of Abreu. “He plays an important leadership role that we value. He’s a mentor to our young players. In terms of his work ethic and preparation, he’s what you want in a player. That matters to us.”

Abreu is arbitration eligible this offseason and is projected to receive $17.9 million by MLB Trade Rumors and is under control for the 2019 season as arbitration eligible.

On Thursday, MLB Trade Rumors broke down who they thought would be options as trade partners for Abreu saying this about the Mets, “Abreu would be a bigger add than (Ian) Kinsler and would cost less money than (Carlos) Santana or (Lorenzo) Cain, though it remains to be seen if the Mets would have enough prospects to entice the White Sox.  Dominic Smith seems like a likely candidate to be offered in an Abreu trade package.”

The Mets have made it clear so far this winter that they’re not completely sold on Dominic Smith as the answer at first base at least in the short-term. Smith struggled offensively (.195/.262/.395) and defensively (-7 DRS in only 378 innings) albeit in a small sample size. They have already shown interest in free agent first baseman Carlos Santana and GM Sandy Alderson has said the Mets would be open to adding a player that only plays first base.

Now it comes down to the cost of Abreu in terms of prospects and the fact they he is going to likely make around $18 million for next season. It would certainly make sense for the rebuilding White Sox to want Smith in return but that certainly isn’t going to be enough and the Mets have limited trade chips outside of top prospect Andres Gimenez.

Getting Abreu would give the Mets a formidable middle of the order with him, Michael Conforto and fellow Cuban Yoenis Cespedes. He would also give them the aforementioned leadership, which is something they could sorely use after trading away numerous veterans including Curtis Granderson.