2020 American League MVP winner Jose Abreu, formerly of the Chicago White Sox, has agreed to terms with the reigning World Series champs.
That’s right: even without a nominal general manager and fresh off winning the Fall Classic, the Houston Astros are making moves with 2023 in mind.
They are reportedly signing Abreu to a three-year deal.
It’s certainly a risky contract considering Abreu is currently 35, but the right-handed hitter has earned every penny, and if there is an organization in baseball that will make sure he remains competitive and productive for as long as his physical traits allow, it’s the Astros.
The Astros got their guy, 1B Jose Abreu is heading to Houston!
per @BNightengale and @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/J477ht7fz1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 28, 2022
The Astros Lineup Is Stacked
The Astros lineup was already elite: now, it’s even more dangerous.
The Astros will have Altuve, Peña, Yordan, Bregman, Tucker and Jose Abreu all in the same lineup. pic.twitter.com/NF4fqZ86T9
— Brian LaLima (@BLima790) November 28, 2022
Look at those names, and you may even be able to include Yuli Gurriel if he is brought back to share first base and designated hitter duties with fellow Cuban slugger Abreu.
The Astros are determined to make another run at the World Series in 2023, and Abreu fits in perfectly with a win-now team.
They just won the World Series and without a GM replaced Yuli Gurriel with Jose Abreu good lord that organization is stacked
— Payton (@paytonisnotroll) November 28, 2022
His power output of 15 home runs lacked in comparison with other campaigns, but he remained an above-average hitter (137 wRC+, .304/.378/.446 line) and a solid player overall despite his age.
Let’s not forget this is a man who has hit 243 home runs in MLB in just nine seasons.
He clearly built himself quite the legacy in Chicago and will be missed by fans.
Media members recognize his ample contributions to the growth of the franchise in the late 2010s.
Jose Abreu is one of the all time greatest Chicago White Sox players.
I wish him nothing but success in his next chapter with the Houston Astros.
— Vinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) November 28, 2022
The prospect of Abreu hitting in the Astros lineup was just too much for them to pass up.
Jose Abreu simply just made too much sense to not get a deal done. Anybody with any sense could’ve been able to see that this was a match made in heaven. You’re going to get a former MVP and gold glover hitting in a lineup with more protection than he’s ever had in his career.
— Bonda (@BenOndaTop) November 28, 2022
He is going to have a really good time with the Astros.
NEXT: MLB Insider Reveals Major Jose Abreu Free Agency Update