The Astros wanted to improve at first base and they had their eye on a lot of players, including Anthony Rizzo. The latter, however, chose to return to the Bombardiers.
Now the defending champions have turned to Jose Abreu.
The former White Sox is expected to make around $20 million a year, which is similar to Anthony Rizzo’s annual salary.
But Abreu, who will be 36 next year, has a three-year contract. We are therefore talking about $60 million in total.
Last year, Abreu lost his power, he who only hit 15 home runs. There is therefore a risk for the Astros, but it is one that is worth the effort.
Even if the third year were to be too many and even if he were to end up as a DH at 39, he is still a machine to go on the trails, he who maintained an OBP of .378.
He also had a .304 average in 2022. The instruction will therefore be to go on the trails and score with the help of the big guns behind him in the lineup.
So he left the White Sox after nine years there. He made his major league debut in 2014 and played 1,270 games in Chicago.
Rumors had it that the former MVP (2020) was about to leave. That’s done – and that’s a blow for the Sox.
At the Astros, we must therefore think that his Cuban compatriot, Yuli Gurriel, will not be back in town. Aged 38, he was tipped to leave Houston because the club wanted to improve otherwise. Will this affect the team spirit? Does retirement await Gurriel?
The next step in Houston? Make sure to see if Justin Verlander, who visits the Dodgers today, can be selected.
But since the price will be exorbitant and the formation of Houston does not really have a flaw, there is no indication that he will return for sure.
