Former White Sox All-Star Shockingly Gets Released

The 2024 MLB season has not been great for the Chicago White Sox or former players, who used to play in the organization. 

Former Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has struggled to find a groove in his second season with the Houston Astros, which has led the team to make a surprising move a month out from the MLB All-Star Game.

Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported on Friday that the Astros have released the 37-year-old first baseman. The former Sox All-Star slugger has struggled noticeably at the plate this season, slashing .124/.167/.195 with two home runs and seven RBI.

Rome adds that the Astros are still on the hook for $30 million of Abreu’s contract, but if he were to sign with any other team, it would be for the league minimum.

Abreu hasn’t looked like the same player we saw in Chicago for several years, who could hit for power, but also for average. The veteran first baseman had his issues at the plate last season with the Astros but maintained a .237 batting average with 18 home runs and 90 RBI.

Before landing in Houston, the 37-year-old slugger had an excellent nine-year run with the Sox, where he posted a .292 batting average with 243 home runs. In his last season with the White Sox (2022), the veteran first baseman hit .304 with 15 home runs and 75 RBI.

Based on his lack of production this season, it’s hard to see a team giving Abreu a major league deal. However, if Abreu is open to taking a minor league deal from a first base-needy team, he could find his way back to the majors, if his offense can somewhat resemble what it was in 2023 with Houston.

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