Astros finalizing a huge splash in free agency, per reports
ASTROS HOT STOVE
28 November 2022
ASTROS HOT STOVE
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
Hunter Brown pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning, and the Houston Astros beat the slumping Cincinnati Reds 3-0 on Friday night.
Brown (6-1) struck out nine, matching his season high for the fourth straight start. The right-hander also issued a season-high four walks in his fifth consecutive win.
Brown departed after Gavin Lux walked with two out in the sixth. Kaleb Ort got Spencer Steer to bounce into a forceout at second.
Josh Hader handled the ninth for his ninth save.
Cincinnati finished with four hits in its sixth loss in seven games.
Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (1-4) surrendered 10 hits and three runs in six innings. He struck out five and walked none.
Zach Dezenzo hit a two-out RBI single in the second, and the Astros added two more runs in the fifth.
Mauricio Dubón followed Brendan Rodgers’ leadoff double with a chopper past third baseman Santiago Espinal, moving Rodgers to third. Jeremy Peña drove in Rodgers with a groundout to second, and Isaac Paredes doubled home Dubón with two down.
Jose Altuve, Christian Walker, and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.
Cincinnati's Austin Hays returned from the injured list after missing 10 games with a left hamstring strain. He went 1 for 4.
Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was scratched due to left calf tenderness after missing the last two games.
Tyler Stephenson hit a one-out double for Cincinnati in the ninth. But Hader struck out Rece Hinds and Espinal, ending the game.
It was Houston's first win against the Reds since June 19, 2016, ending a nine-game skid.
Lance McCullers Jr. (0-0 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the season and first home start since October 3, 2022, against Reds right-hander Brady Singer (4-2 3.66 ERA) on Saturday night.