HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros released José Abreu on Friday, parting ways with the former AL MVP less than halfway through his three-year, $58.5 million contract.
The 37-year-old Abreu was hitting .124 (14 for 113) with two homers and seven RBIs this season, having spent time in the minors to work on his swing. The Astros still owe him $30.8 million from the deal he signed before last season.
Abreu, a three-time All-Star during his nine years with the Chicago White Sox, was named MVP during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He won the AL Rookie of the Year in 2014 after defecting from Cuba the previous year.
His performance significantly declined with the Astros. He batted .237 last year, the lowest average of his career, with 18 homers and 90 RBIs.
Abreu is a career .283 hitter with 263 homers and 960 RBIs in 11 seasons.
Houston owes him $30,822,504, including $11,322,504 remaining from this year’s salary and $19.5 million for 2025. Any team can sign him for a prorated share of the $740,000 major league minimum, with the Astros covering the rest.
