ASTROS OUTLOOK
With Abreu secured, Astros must address next million-dollar question(s)
Nov 29, 2022, 3:49 pm
Will Uncle Mike get signed next? Composite image by Brandon Strange.
With Abreu secured, Astros must address next million-dollar question(s)
The Houston Astros have added another stellar bat to their already deep lineup with the signing of first baseman Jose Abreu to a three-year deal worth $58.5 million.
The 35-year-old Cuban native is second in Major League Baseball with 863 RBI since his rookie season in 2014 and won the 2020 American League MVP.
Last season with the White Sox, Abreu hit .304/.378/.446 and has a career .292 batting average.
So with Abreu now in the fold, what will the Astros do next?
His addition to the Astros seems to indicate the likely departure of Yuli Gurriel via free agency.
The former AL batting champion played well in the playoffs, but had a down year offensively in the regular season hitting .242/.288/.360.
Gurriel’s Gold Glove caliber defense isn’t to blame for his potential departure, but rather Abreu brings more to the plate and is three years younger.
Although Gurriel will be missed, Astros fans should be excited about the addition of another MVP.
Without changing the batting order, Abreu could take Gurriel’s spot behind Kyle Tucker and add more power and RBI to this already lethal lineup.
There is a possibility of Gurriel returning to a utility position, but Mauricio Dubón and David Hensley are both younger and more affordable options for that role.
Another free agent, Michael Brantley, has said he would like to return. Given the option between the two, Houston would benefit more from re-signing Brantley, who would fill an outfield need and continue to add production from the left side of the plate.
His leadership in the clubhouse is an asset to this team, and the Astros could certainly attempt to re-sign the 5x All-Star.
Although Houston has been linked to other free agents that include Michael Conforto and Cody Bellinger as potential outfield options, the Astros might already have a solution to fill that need.
Chas McCormick has proven himself to be a quality center fielder with World Series success, and if Jake Meyers could return to his 2021 form, he would be an excellent in-house option to fill that need without overpaying a free agent.
The Astros will continue to browse the free agent market, but could fill their voids with players already in their system as they have done in the past.
Houston has replaced Gerrit Cole, George Springer and Carlos Correa in consecutive years with All-Star caliber players such as Framber Valdez, Kyle Tucker and World Series MVP Jeremy Pena.
The Astros find ways to win by promoting from within, and signing free agents as necessary.
Abreu might be their biggest addition of the offseason unless a deal can be made to re-sign Justin Verlander.
If last season’s Cy-Young Award winner were to leave, the Astros’ rotation would still be in good hands with six potential starters.
Regardless of Verlander’s decision, Houston will continue to be the number one contender in the American League.
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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.