While the Houston Astros have not made a big move this offseason, they certainly turned some heads following their World Series victory in 2022 after they signed slugging first baseman, Jose Abreu, to a three-year, $58.5 million deal.
He was seen as someone who would come in and make their vaunted lineup even scarier with added power and solid defense at first base.
That did not happen for the 2020 AL MVP as he posted the worst slash line of his career with a .237/.296/.383.
Abreu also missed time due to a back injury that might have been caused by how many games he was playing, even while hurt.
That's why it shouldn't surprise anyone if the Astros give the bomber more time off during the 2024 season.
Chandler Rome of The Athletic writes, "Both [Joe] Espada and general manager Dana Brown have hinted that Abreu will be more carefully managed this season. Victor Caratini’s experience at first base could allow the team to either give Abreu starts at designated hitter or total off days."
As the slugger enters his age 37 season, he definitely should be getting more time off to avoid those nagging injuries that could turn into something more serious.
But, that's something that Houston might have to force him into doing.
"When his back began to bark early in the season, Abreu insisted on playing through it and avoiding the injured list. People around Abreu said he felt the weight of expectations and wanted to play every day to meet or exceed them," Rome writes.
It's easy to see why Abreu would want to avoid having off days considering the contract he signed. He was with a new team for the first time in his career since joining the Chicago White Sox and wanted to prove to his championship teammates that he belonged.
But as the Astros get ready for the 2024 season, it seems like there will be only minor changes to their roster.
This puts that much more emphasis on the current players elevating their games if they want to win another championship.
Abreu is part of the solution.
Houston needs him healthy when the playoffs roll around and getting him some time off in the regular season should help with that.
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