Updates: Dollar value attached to Mike Clevinger; José Abreu nearing deal with Astros

While waiting for the terms of Mike Clevenger's one-year contract to be announced, Jon Morosi set the floor of the earnings by calling it "more than $8 million."

If Jim Bowden is to be believed -- and I always hesitate in buying his reports at face value for hilarious reasons -- his contract is considerably more than $8 million. Like, 50 percent more.

Carlos Rodón, Johnny Cueto and Vince Velasquez didn't quite earn $10 million between them, so this really is a token of the White Sox's confidence in the particular player, rather than a token signing.

And it kinda has to be, because while the White Sox only need a fifth starter on paper, there's reason to see them needing a third starter over various points of the season. He might be the No. 4 starter on Opening Day if Michael Kopech's return from knee surgery isn't smooth, and Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito are no strangers to IL stints. I don't mind them having a little bit more ambition with this particular signing versus times where it felt like they had four immovable objects in the rotation. I question whether Clevinger has that kind of ceiling still, but we'll find out more whenever the Sox make it official.

Another reported signing that won't please most White Sox fans: José Abreu is on the cusp of joining the Houston Astros, according to Bob Nightengale.

Josh and I both had Abreu going to the Astros in our free agent pick 'em podcast, and they always made the most sense for both team and player. The Crawford Boxes are a great way to get Abreu back over 20 homers, but even if he continues being an average-and-OBP guy instead of a true slugging first baseman, the Astros have a billion other guys who can accumulate RBIs, and Abreu will fit into a lineup that loves keeping the line moving.

As for the Astros, they just won a World Series with Yuli Gurriel playing first, so Abreu represents an easy upgrade. The reported contract length is a little bit a surprise...

... but Abreu is 1-for-1 in overdelivering on surprising three-year deals, so he's earned a little bit of the benefit of the doubt. The market for first basemen reached crisis levels when Anthony Rizzo re-upped with the Yankees. Abreu had demand on his side, and free from the obligation to sign himself to Jerry Reinsdorf's White Sox, it appears he's quite capable of exercising leverage appropriately.

And to twist the knife, the White Sox will open the season in Houston, so they'll waste no time seeing Abreu in the uniform of a team receiving its World Series rings, even if he won't get one himself. Yet.

Circle Mother's Day Weekend, because May 12-14 when the Astros come to Guaranteed Rate Field for their only series on the South Side in 2023. I'd recommend buying tickets in advance, partially because of the holiday weekend, and because Reinsdorf is a threat to awkwardly retire his number then.