The Houston Astros are finalizing a deal to sign 2020 AL MVP Jose Abreu to a three-year deal, according to Brian McTaggart. Bob Nightengale was the first to report the story.
Abreu, who will be 36 in January, played his first nine seasons in the Majors with the Chicago White Sox, and has consistently been one of the best middle-order hitters in the game. He finished 2022 with 15 home runs and 75 RBIs, just the second time Abreu finished below 25 and 100 in a full-schedule season.
Abreu, the 2014 AL Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger will finish his White Sox career as the team’s third all-time home run hitter (243) while being fifth in RBIs (863) and sixth in doubles (303).
Abreu is viewed as a leader in both the clubhouse and the dugout and he leads with his work ethic. He has worked into a solid defensive first baseman since joining the Sox in 2014 from Cuba on a six-year, $68 million deal. He also signed a three-year, $50 million extension prior to 2020.
The move makes sense for Chicago, whose roster is designated hitter/first baseman heavy. Also, Andrew Vaughn seems like an easy candidate to move from the outfield to first base for the White Sox. However, even at his age, Abreu still has the desire to play.
“I’m hungry for more baseball,” Abreu said. “Once I lose that, then I know that it’s time.”
When asked about Jose Abreu at his introductory press conference, Pedro Grifol said “All 30 managers want to see José Abreu in their lineup.
He’s obviously a guy from the other side that when you see him play, he comes to play every day, he works hard, he plays hurt, and he performs. He’s performed for a long time.”