Huge assumption that someone would pick him up. I'd give it at least a 80% chance no one picks him up. IF DFA'd . . . i think he may end up in Sugarland anyway.
There are probably 4-5 teams that would give him a minor league deal and some time in AAA to see if he comes back to life. I would be extremely surprised if anyone were to give him a big league job now.
He will absolutely clear waivers, but because of service time he would then automatically become a FA with the Astros required to pay him all but the prorated minimum salary for the remainder of this year, and all but full season minimum for next year. Once a FA he will have his pick from several teams who will see trying to fix him at the minimum salary as a worthwhile investment. That means it costs about $36M to release him which is why he is still an Astro.
Imagine how comical would it be to have a Carlos Gomez v2.0 moment with the Rangers picking up Abreu off waivers and Abreu finding his old stroke again. That was in 2016 even!
I imagine he will go on the 60 DL with back stiffness. To the MLB if questioned: Those pop ups aren't dropping themselves. Wishful thinking.
I think it's the opposite. He is still here mentally, just physically can't perform at MLB level anymore. And it's hard to watch. It's 2005 Bagwell all over again but much worse. Jeff still managed a 94 OPS+ and positive WAR even with 1 shoulder. But it, too, was hard to watch.
Hopefully for not much longer. Espada also discussed using him at 1B but not in the first couple days of being in the bigs. The plan is to ease him in playing in a comfortable position, which is in the outfield. Maybe we will see him at 1B this weekend
