We just talked earlier in the month about the November the Houston Astros were having. World Series champions, downtown parade, playoff bonuses, what more can you ask? Bam! According to Bob Nightengale, “The Houston Astros are finalizing a deal for free-agent first baseman Jose Abreu.”
The Houston #Astros are finalizing a deal for free-agent first baseman Jose Abreu.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 28, 2022
Jose Abreu, the former 2020 American League MVP and soon to be 36-year-old, will be a huge boost to the Houston Astros lineup.
He brings to Houston an excellent walk rate, with a great xwOBA, hits the ball very hard, and carries a low strikeout rate. However, he regressed on his power numbers last year, hitting 15 home runs. Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, had left field measured at 330 feet and right field measured at 335 feet. Can Minute Maid Park help him have an increase in home run production again? With the Crawford Boxes in left field measured at 315 feet and down the right field line at 326 feet, he should be able to take advantage of the short porches in both corners. The home run production will increase in 2023 and, with the way he was slashing the ball last year (.304/.378/.446/.824), the RBI production will also rise.
So what now for former Astro Yuli Gurriel? Gurriel was Houston’s first baseman from 2016-2022 and he’s now a free agent on the market for the first time in his career. As an Astro, he brought in his first Gold Glove and won a batting title in 2021, but, most importantly, helped the Astros grab two World Series titles.
Abreu’s signing doesn’t mean Gurriel is out of Houston’s radar. According to Brian McTaggart, “The signing of Jose Abreu would bring an end to Yuli Gurriel’s tenure as Houston’s full-time 1B. Gurriel is a free agent and the Astros have interest in bringing him back in a utility role.”
The signing of José Abreu would bring an end to Yuli Gurriel's tenure as Houston's full-time 1B. Gurriel is a free agent and the Astros have interest in bringing him back in a utility role.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 28, 2022
Gurriel could possibly fit a good utility/bench role. He can be used as an every day designated hitter or, when Abreu needs a rest day, manager Dusty Baker can plug in the Gold Glover back at first base. Gurriel did have a good postseason until that injury in Game 5 of the World Series but, after the World Series celebration, he expressed interest about coming back to Houston and reportedly loves being a part of the organization. However, will owner Jim Crane bring him back?
At the end of the day, the Houston Astros needed to find a “big time bat” and they got it in veteran first baseman Jose Abreu. The projected one through six in the lineup could be: Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, Yordan Alvarez, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Abreu. Plus, the Astros aren’t done looking for more big time bats as they reportedly have interest in Cody Bellinger and Willson Contreras.
From an offensive standpoint, this team has everything in contact, power, and speed throughout the batting order. Now adding Jose Abreu just brings more power to this well-built lineup.