ASTROS HOT STOVE
Astros finalizing a huge splash in free agency, per reports
Nov 28, 2022, 1:19 pm
The Astros are adding to their offense in free agency. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
According to multiple reports, the Astros are finalizing a deal to sign former White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu to a free agent contract.
The Houston #Astros are finalizing a deal for free-agent first baseman Jose Abreu.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 28, 2022
The 35-year-old first baseman finished last season hitting .304 with 15 home runs, 75 RBI, and a .824 OPS. Abreu provides plenty of pop, with five seasons with at least 30 homers in his career.
Jose Abreu 2022 highlights
This move most likely comes at the expense of Houston Astros first baseman and local favorite, Yuli Gurriel, who is also a free agent this offseason. On the other hand, the Astros had to upgrade at DH, and maybe Gurriel could still return to the team in a utility role or back at first base.
Mark Berman is reporting the deal is for 3-years at $19.5 million per season.
MLB source: Astros agree to three-year deal with free agent first baseman Jose Abreu that will pay him $19.5 million per year. @BNightengale first to report the agreement.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 28, 2022
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.