RUN IT BACK
Free agents heavily in the mix for Astros post-José Abreu signing
Nov 29, 2022, 1:39 pm
Don't be surprised if Yuli Gurriel returns to Houston. Composite image by Brandon Strange.
Truth, solutions and post-deadline drama ahead for Houston Astros
The Houston Astros made a big splash in free agency, landing former Chicago White Sox first baseman José Abreu to a three-year deal.
Abreu’s signing sent a clear signal to the rest of Major League Baseball, the Astros want to stay atop the American League and compete for more world championships. Houston owner Jim Crane didn’t mince his words in Tuesday’s introduction press conference, the Astros expect to get back to the World Series.
Abreu, who spent his first nine years with the White Sox, said he joined Houston because he wants to be a part of a family and have a chance to win a championship. The 2020 AL Most Valuable Player posted .304/.378/.446 with 15 home runs in 2022.
One of the key pillars to Houston’s family culture over the years has been first baseman Yuli Gurriel. While the signing of Abreu ends Gurriel’s tenure as the Astros’ first baseman, and likely his time in Houston altogether, Crane said the team will be in communication with him as the free agency period continues.
In a perfect world, the Astros should bring back Gurriel. Abreu said he has a lot of respect for him and acknowledged his role in creating the Astros’ culture that drew him to the team in the first place.
The reason to bring back Gurriel goes beyond him being a first baseman. That ship has sailed, but having a key figure in the clubhouse, and potentially using his bat in a designated hitter role, warrants keeping that door open. He also would add depth to the Astros.
While Gurriel’s injury in the World Series ultimately didn’t hurt Houston, it did leave the Astros with Trey Mancini taking over first base in Game Six. While Mancini rose to the occasion, it should not be something Houston banks on if it can avoid it.
Gurriel struggled throughout the 2022 regular season, posting .242/.288/.360, but he shined in the postseason, playing a big role in Houston’s World Series run. His numbers rose to .347/.360/.490 throughout the 2022 playoffs, one of the best postseason runs in his career.
Gurriel and pitcher Jusitn Verlander are still in the mix, Crane said on Tuesday. He also believes the Astros have room to improve, mainly at catcher and in the outfield. Houston can also never have enough pitching, Crane added. The Astros can never have too many bats either.
With Houston’s mindset at championship or bust, bringing back Gurriel as a DH option along with his role in the clubhouse makes sense for the Astros at the right price. If both sides can reach that mutual ground, which would also require Gurriel to accept a lesser role on top of the right deal, it is a no-brainer. How realistic that is, is a different story.
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Dusty Baker has won the fourth Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Baseball Digest.
The beloved Baker retired following the 2023 season after spending 56 years in the majors as a player, coach and manager. He was honored Thursday with an annual distinction that “recognizes a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has made significant contributions to the game.”
Willie Mays won the inaugural award in 2021, followed by Vin Scully in 2022 and Joe Torre last year.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor,” Baker said in a news release. “I never thought that I’d be in the class of the people that received this award. I know that my late mom and dad would be proud of me. This is really special.”
The 74-year-old Baker broke into the big leagues as a teenager with the Atlanta Braves in 1968 and played 19 seasons. He made two All-Star teams, won two Silver Slugger awards and earned a Gold Glove in the outfield.
He was the 1977 NL Championship Series MVP and finished fourth in 1980 NL MVP voting before helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.
Following his playing career, Baker was a coach for the San Francisco Giants from 1988-92 and then became their manager in 1993. He won the first of his three NL Manager of the Year awards with the Giants that season and spent 26 years as a big league skipper, also guiding the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.
Baker took all those teams to the playoffs, winning 10 division crowns, three pennants and finally a World Series championship in 2022 with the Astros. He ranks seventh on the career list with 2,183 wins and is the only manager in major league history to lead five franchises to division titles.
In January, he returned to the Giants as a special adviser to baseball operations. Baker's former team is 7-18 under new Astros manager Joe Espada.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am honored to congratulate Dusty Baker as the 2024 recipient of Baseball Digest’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He joins an incredible club," Commissioner Rob Manfred said. "Dusty represents leadership, goodwill, and winning baseball. His ability to connect with others, across generations, is second to none. He is a championship manager and player. But, most importantly, Dusty is an extraordinary ambassador for our national pastime.”
Baker was selected in voting by an 18-member panel from a list of candidates that also included Bob Costas, Sandy Koufax, Tony La Russa, Jim Leyland, Rachel Robinson and Bud Selig, among others.