On Monday, the Houston Astros secured the services of potent slugger Jose Abreu, formerly with the Chicago White Sox.
They unveiled their new signing to the press on Tuesday, with interventions from Abreu himself and Astros owner Jim Crane.
Houston is currently without a general manager after firing James Click a couple of weeks ago.
That didn’t stop them from bringing in a powerful bat for the middle of their lineup.
“Astros owner Jim Crane introduces José Abreu, who slips on a No. 79 jersey,” Astros insider Brian McTaggart tweeted.
Astros owner Jim Crane introduces José Abreu, who slips on a No. 79 jersey. pic.twitter.com/Yy4khTm6Do
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 29, 2022
No one in Astros history has ever worn 79, so Abreu will be the first one to do it once he takes the field in 2023.
“We are happy to say he’s a Houston Astro for three years. We are very excited about him,” Crane said during the introductory press conference.
Abreu Still Has It
Abreu didn’t quite have his power stroke in 2022, but still managed to hit 40 doubles and 15 home runs with a .304 batting average and a .824 OPS.
He has hit 243 round-trippers in nine seasons in The Show, though, so it’s not hard to see his power numbers bouncing back in Minute Maid Park.
He will be surrounded by an elite lineup, so the RBI opportunities will be there for him.
Abreu has built a reputation as an RBI machine over the years, and will surely enjoy hitting behind Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Yordan Alvarez and Jeremy Pena.
He is 35 years old and his best years are probably behind him, but that doesn’t mean he can’t justify his $20 million-per-season price tag with decent power and RBI numbers.
He is a nice addition by the reigning World Series champs.
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