The Houston Astros signed the biggest name in free agency to date in Jose Abreu. So what will the world champions do next?
At the start of the season, the Houston Astros made upgrading the first base position one of their top priorities. The front office targeted Anthony Rizzo, who eventually re-signed with the Yankees, leaving them with three options: Jose Abreu, Josh Bell, and Yuli Juriel.
Abreu quickly emerged as their first choice, and on Monday, the veteran and the Astros agreed to a three-year contract worth about $20 million a season, pending material, according to multiple sources.
Abreu, 36, had spent the previous nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox. But they were looking to get younger at first base and co-hit, had young inside options like Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn, and were seen as unlikely to keep Abreu. They are confident each will step in and become a long-standing stalwart, though replacing his production would be a lofty task.
In nine seasons, Abreu hit 0.292/.354/.506 with a 0.860 OPS average. He has 243 home runs, hitting at least 22 in seven of those seasons. He has a 134 OPS+ and has posted a WRC+ no less than 114 each season. There have been questions about his low power – he hit 15 home runs last season – although he also produced a career-best 16.2 slugging percentage. The Astros, too, are confident his power will resurface in hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park.
Although they won the World Series, the Astros considered first base to be one of their weaknesses. With Abreu now signed, that attitude is now a strength. So where do they go from here?
Houston Astros: What’s next for Jose Abreu’s signing?
Starting pitcher is among their priorities, with star right-back Justin Verlander still a free agent and reportedly paying visits with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, among others. Catcher is another position the Astros have scouted and free agent catcher Willson Contreras, who the team was on the verge of acquiring at the August trade deadline, is an option. The team is also open to meeting Gurriel, who can play a useful role.
What makes these pursuits more complicated is that the Astros still don’t have a general manager after the firing of James Click. Right now, the key person is Assistant General Manager Bill Firkus, according to sources. He has successfully filled arguably the largest gap he has ever made to the team, adding one of the best players on the open market. But it gets complicated from here, starting with Verlander, and extending to the people the Astros might add at catcher along with Maldonado.
Having a general manager would of course make navigation easier. But by signing Abreu and reliever Rafael Montero, Firkus has already put the Astros in a strong position to potentially repeat as World Series champions in 2023.
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