The Houston Astros are wasting no time in attempting to strengthen their lineup after winning the World Series, signing former MVP Jose Abreu to a three-year deal on Monday.
“I just want to be part of a family … and I want to win,” Abreu said in a press conference following the deal.
Following a slow start, Abreu became one of the league’s strongest hitters during the remainder of the season, with a .335 batting average. Despite this, however, Abreu only hit 15 home runs, a career low for the first baseman.
While he might not have managed many home runs last season, he has a distinguished career. The power-hitting first baseman, who is about to turn 36, won the American League MVP in 2020 and is second in baseball with 863 RBIs since beginning his career in 2014.
Abreu will replace Yuli Gurriel, a consistent competitor when the two both played in the Cuban National Series. Abreu and Gurriel, along with Yoenis Cespedes, were regarded as the best players of their generation from Cuba, although Abreu’s power was the separator, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The White Sox extended Abreu for three years and $50 million after 2019 when he led the AL with 123 RBIs. Over his career in the MLB, Abreu has hit .292/.354/.506 with 243 home runs and an adjusted OPS 34% better than the league average, according to Passan.
“José Abreu deservedly belongs among the roster of White Sox franchise all-time greats,” White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement Tuesday. “His determination and commitment to the game each and every day made him the consummate professional, always leading by example.”
Abreu is the second big signing this winter for the Astros, who re-signed reliever Rafael Montero to a three-year, $34.5 million contract.
The Astros’ projected payroll is around the $175 million range, and the team hopes to resign the 39-year-old Justin Verlander, who is coming off his arguably best season ever and is expected to command upward of $40 million a year. However, Verlander is also being courted by the Dodgers, Yankees, and Mets in a free agency loaded with stars, including Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, and Jacob deGrom.
