Jose Abreu stretches. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
The Houston Astros announced Friday that they have released first baseman Jose Abreu. The former American League MVP was in the second season of his three-year contract with the Astros, which he signed last season. Abreu is still owed more than $30 million on his deal. A corresponding move will be announced later.
Abreu got off to a slow start in 2024, batting .124 with just two home runs that led to a demotion to AAA and the Astros spring training facility earlier this season. This comes just a year after he drove in 90 runs and played a role in a third consecutive AL title for the Astros. A career .283 hitter, Abreu will hope to land on another team.
The Astros make this move hoping to spark a surge after a slow 31-38 start. After three straight AL West titles, the club finds itself in third place in the division at this point. This is an unexpected start for a team that has sustained success since the 2015 season.
The 37-year-old, born in Cuba, got his professional start in the Cuban National Series in 2003 at age 16. Abreu played ten seasons with the Elefantes de Cienfuegos, with an average of .341 with 178 home runs and 584 RBIs. Making his MLB debut straight from Cuba in 2014 for the Chicago White Sox, Abreu saw instant success winning AL Rookie of the Year. Abreu’s success continued throughout his nine seasons on the White Sox, with three all-star appearances, including the MVP in 2020.
