After missing out on Anthony Rizzo, the Houston Astros have two clear backup plans to fill their first baseman spot in MLB free agency.
There were many rumors in the past 48 hours that linked the Houston Astros to Anthony Rizzo. Turns out that while they might’ve been true, Rizzo likely used the Astros to get the Yankees to give a more appealing offer.
Now, the Astros are left without Rizzo while seeing their rival Yankees get him back. To make matters worse, the Astros currently don’t have an appealing first base option on their roster with Yuli Gurriel and Trey Mancini both free agents.
Thankfully, there are two great options in free agency including a former MVP winner.
Astros backup plans after missing out on Anthony Rizzo
Let’s talk first about Josh Bell who played for the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres this past year. Bell had a great year in his age-29 season. The switch-hitting first baseman/DH won a Silver Slugger after hitting .266/.362/.422/.784 with an OPS+ of 128, 29 doubles, 17 home runs, and 71 RBI. The patient hitter would fit right in with the Astros elite ball-contact skills as he had 81 walks to only 102 strikeouts. The Astros are a team that doesn’t strike out much so Bell would fit right in.
Granted that Bell did struggle in his Padres tenure with only a .192 batting average and eight extra-base hits over 53 games. The slugger has a proven track record of being a capable MLB power hitter with an elite eye. Thanks to his lackluster second half of the season, his price tag should be a bit cheaper along with the fact he’s entering his age-30 season.
Yet, there’s one name that would just fit perfectly in the Astros lineup, team and culture — and it’s the former American League MVP Jose Abreu.
For some reason, the White Sox are letting him be free in free agency after moving on from their long-time franchise player.
I don’t need to tell you how talented a player Abreu is, even in his upcoming age-36 season. Jose has done nothing but be healthy and hit the ball, hard. he’s got 243 home runs, 863 RBI, 303 doubles, and a .292 batting average since 2014. The 3x All-Star hit .304/.378/.446/.824 with a 133 OPS+, 40 doubles, 15 home runs, and 75 RBI last year. He fits in with having an elite eye at the plate for the Astros with his 62 walks to only 110 strikeouts last year.
Abreu has 31.9 career WAR, including 4.2 from last year. He’d be perfect for the Astros in order to add some additional power, offense, and leadership to hopefully help Dusty Baker win his second World Series ring. Plus, Abreu has made $118 million in his career already, so his next and likely last contract won’t break the bank even if it’s a two-three-year deal.
As you can see above, it might not be a bad thing that the Houston Astros missed out on Anthony Rizzo. MLB Free Agency has only just begun and there are potentially two better options on the market in Josh Bell and Jose Abreu who would fit right in.