Houston, TX– The Houston Astros made quite the splash earlier today, signing free-agent first baseman José Abreu to a three-year, $60 million deal, pending a physical.
The defending champions entered the offseason needing to address their first base position, with veteran Yuli Gurriel entering free agency, and Abreu is the right choice. Abreu provides a great bat to go along with a loaded offense.
Abreu, 35, is a talented player that ideally fits the Astros. Abreu boasts a strikeout rate of 19.8 percent, with a 76.7 percent contact rate. Abreu’s stats last season are not anything to scough at either, as he had 183 hits, 15 home runs, 75 RBIs, and a batting average of .304.
The 2020 American League Most Valuable Player, 2014 AL Rookie of the year, and three-time Silver Slugger winner should benefit quite nicely from the Crawford Boxes in left field at Minute Maid Park, as the short porch tends to help right-handed hitters. In an interview, Abreu struggled with power last season but stated, “That’s one of my goals to work on during the offseason, trying to increase power.” Power aside, however, Abreu is a phenomenal contact hitter who can drive in runs without hitting homers, which will benefit Houston.
The Astros aren’t done, however, as they’ve been listed as one of the teams interested in various players, such as Brandon Nimmo, Cody Bellinger, and Willson Contreras. The Astros still need to find an outfielder and possibly another starting pitcher.
With the addition of Abreu, assuming that the Astros don’t make any more moves offensively this offseason, the starting lineup could look something like this:
- 2B Jose Altuve
- SS Jeremy Pena
- DH Yordan Alvarez
- 3B Alex Bregman
- RF Kyle Tucker
- 1B José Abreu
- LF Chas McCormick
- CF Jake Meyers
- C Martin Maldonado
The Astros have a chance to win back-to-back titles next season, as it’ll be interesting to see if owner Jim Crane makes any more moves despite the team not having a GM.
Who do you think the Astros should sign? Let us know in the comments below!
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