Houston Astros waive former American League MVP Jose Abreu

The Houston Astros have released three-time All-Star and 2020 American League MVP José Abreu. General manager Dana Brown made the announcement Friday.

Abreu, 37, signed a three-year, $58.5 million contract with the Astros ahead of the 2023 season. He struggled mightily over the past two seasons and was even optioned to the minor leagues early this year, an unprecedented decision for a player with his stature and contract.

Unfortunately, that move didn’t help Abreu get back on track, and now the Astros are moving on from him midway through the second year of his contract. The Astros still owe Abreu more than $30 million. However, they decided it was better to eat that money rather than continue watching him struggle in their own uniform.

Abreu signed with the defending champion Astros ahead of the 2023 season, which appears to set them up for another World Series victory. Last year, Abreu had a solid season, playing in 141 games and hitting .237/.296/.383 with 18 home runs and 90 RBIs. But this year the wheels fell off.

Abreu appeared in just 35 games, hitting .124/.167/.195 with two home runs and seven RBIs. He had an OPS+ of 4, which was 96% below the league average. He had a wRC+ of 3, 97% below league average, and an fWAR of negative-1.5.

Abreu was becoming unplayable. On Friday, the Astros finally decided to move on from the former Chicago White Sox star.

Abreu began his career in 2014 in Chicago as a 27-year-old rookie after playing several years professionally in Cuba. He made an instant impact.

In his first season, Abreu won the AL Rookie of the Year award while also making the All-Star team, winning a Silver Slugger and finishing fourth in MVP voting. Abreu’s success continued throughout his tenure with the White Sox, as he would make three All-Star teams, win three Silver Slugger awards, and win the 2020 AL MVP award.

Abreu had five seasons with 30 or more home runs and six seasons with 100 or more runs during his 11-year career. In his final season in Chicago in 2022, he was still strong, hitting .304/.378/.446 with 15 home runs, 75 RBIs and an OPS of .824.

Unfortunately for him and the Astros, that success never translated to Houston. Abreu became one of the worst free agent signings in Astros history, contributing to their disappointing 2024 season.

The Astros enter Friday with a 31-38 record, eight games behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West. Houston has made seven straight AL Championship Series appearances, but that streak is in serious jeopardy as the Astros are currently fighting to even reach the postseason.

The team has yet to announce a corresponding move for Abreu, but this marks the end of Abreu’s tenure in Houston — or even MLB.