Before the start of the 2023 season, the Houston Astros made a puzzling move: they signed a veteran, past-his-prime slugger in Jose Abreu to play first base.
Abreu, of course, had been one of the most productive players in the American League for almost a decade with the Chicago White Sox.
He won, among other awards and recognitions, the 2020 AL MVP.
Abreu, however, was never able to live up to expectations in Houston.
Now, the team has decided to move on without him.
“The Houston Astros released first baseman José Abreu. He is owed more than $30 million on the free agent deal he signed last year,” MLB insider Jeff Passan tweeted.
Abreu was 36 at the moment of signing his multi-year deal with the ‘Stros.
It was a deal doomed to fail: Abreu had already showed signs of decline on his last season with the White Sox.
He hit a disappointing .237/.296/.383 with 18 home runs, 90 RBI, and a .680 OPS in 2023.
Perhaps the Astros could live with that production this year, but he has been even worse with a .124/.167/.195 line.
It’s hard to justify putting a player with those numbers in the lineup every day.
Virtually anyone in the minor leagues could do a better job at this point.
It’s sad to see a former star failing to produce decent numbers due to age, but it’s a natural process in MLB and professional sports.
It happens all the time, but it’s still sad.
In any case, Abreu should draw interest from other clubs on a cheaper contract, if he desires to extend his career.
