Former Chicago White Sox star and former MVP released by Houston Astros

After a terrible start to the 2024 season, former American League MVP Jose Abreu has been released by the Houston Astros.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan got the news on social media:

The Houston Astros have released first baseman José Abreu. He is owed more than $30 million for the free agent contract he signed last year.

The 37-year-old Cuban was hitting just .124 with a .167 on-base percentage in 113 at-bats. The team had already sent him to the complex league to work on his timing, but clearly didn’t feel like he had made enough progress to warrant a spot on the team.

One of the most accomplished players of the last decade, Abreu is a career .283 hitter who has 263 home runs. He has played in the United States for 11 years since arriving from Cuba in 2014. A three-time All-Star, Abreu spent nine years with the Chicago White Sox and two with the Astros. He started slow in 2023, but rebounded to have 18 homers and 90 RBIs as the Astros reached the ALCS.

Once he clears waivers, he will be available at any time to sign for the league minimum (with the Astros picking up the rest of the bill). Due to the low financial stakes, it is very likely that a team lacking attack will go after him. The Seattle Mariners are known to be looking for help and could potentially take a flyer.

Abreu led the American League in RBI in 2019 and won MVP in the 2020 COVID season.

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