Its pretty rare that a former starter who was just ok as a prospect (which Abreu was in the minors) finds elite success as a reliever… then goes back to starting and has the same success. Granted, if any team/coaching staff could figure it out, its probably the Astros…. But history is pretty consistent in this regard.
At this point I think he offers more value to us as a reliever. And he’s not going anywhere until 2027 at the earliest.
Right now we have 6 starters. I don’t think Abreu being converted to a starter makes any sense. Could we make him into a long reliever? Sure.
Between Bell and Abreu…let’s say Crane fully intends to use the abundant profits from this championship season to push through the tax. Which player is better for our team? Abreu projected 2 years for 34M (Athletic) Bell projected 3 years for 39M (Athletic)
They are both mediocre defensively. I would rather have Abreu. His bat hasn't slowed down and he's been consistently good for a very long time. His worse season, he was an all-star with a 798 OPS. This last season, he was at 820 which would be the third best on the team behind Altuve.
So, it's first base. Gurriell is turning 39 and Pujols was like 80. Abreu has only played less than 145 games once in his career and has never batted less than 798 OPS and had a 986 OPS just 2 seasons ago. He's a stud and remains a stud. Josh Bell is good but he's no Jose Abreu and we don't need anyone long term. We just need someone thats going to be good for the next 3 seasons.
I agree with that. I’m not sure we have a longterm 1B option coming. But for the sake of the next 2-3 years, I would prefer the better player.
If Crane does go into the luxury tax, I wonder how close to the upper limit tier one of 250 million he would be willing to go?
And Bell is a switch hitter, Abreu right handed. I hear we want more balance. Given Bell's size and pure strength I also think he has some untapped power. But if we could re-sign JV, I'd call Arizona about Christian Walker, the reigning NL Gold Glover. Offer Urquidy and Maton, two Strom guys who are/would be expendable.
Stanek and Maton are the only FA after 2023 ( + Neris option) If the Astros exceed the CBT this year they will also in 2024.
242M: 2B Altuve SS Peña LF Alvarez 3B Bregman RF Tucker 1B Bell/Abreu 13M AAV DH Brantley 10M CF McCormick C Maldonado BN Yuli (1B/3B) 6M BN Yainer (C/1B) BN Hensley (Util) BN Meyers (OF) SP Verlander 36M AAV, Valdez, McCullers, Javier, Brown, Garcia RP Urquidy, Stanek, Montero, Abreu, Pressly, Maton, Neris
