Inside the Astros

Was it a Mistake for the Houston Astros to Move on From Gurriel?

The Houston Astros chose José Abreu over Yuli Gurriel this winter. Was that move a mistake?
Kade Kistner|
Was it a Mistake for the Houston Astros to Move on From Gurriel?
Was it a Mistake for the Houston Astros to Move on From Gurriel?

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Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are not performing up to their standard this season. One of the most prominent culprits to their offensive struggles is first baseman José Abreu.

Abreu is currently slugging .227/.267/.258 and has yet to hit a home run. Hardly the performance the reigning World Series champions were looking for when they signed the 36-year-old to a three-year, $58.5 million contract this winter. 

They signed Abreu in favor of Yuli Gurriel, a fan favorite who may have been showing signs of decline last season. Gurriel ended up with the Miami Marlins on a minor league deal, but has played in 18 games this year at the MLB level. His contract is now worth $1.25 million. 

Gurriel is slashing .292/.329/.431 with two home runs. A smaller sample size than Abreu's, but Gurriel has showed more power and contact in that time. 

If Gurriel wasn't re-signed because of decline worry, than Houston must be incredibly worried from what they are seeing out of Abreu. 

Sure, Abreu was the American League MVP in 2020 when the season was shortened by COVID-19. But this is performance is something of a player who has totally lost it. 

Abreu has admitted that he has been having difficulty seeing the ball with how his hands and head are positioned. But for a player with nearly a decade of experience, simply "not seeing" the ball is worrisome. 

None of that even mentions his contract. 

At $58.5 million over three years, that likely hindered the Astros in pursuing pitching depth. Something they desperately need now with Luis Garcia going under the knife and Jose Urquidy out. 

Gurriel could have been had on a one-year deal worth a fraction of what Abreu received. All early indications show Gurriel is more productive as well.

In the end, you can't fault Houston for pursuing a player like Abreu, but hindsight is always 20/20 and having Gurriel man first base for the Astros right now would be a sight for sore eyes. 

More From SI's Inside The Astros:

  1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Houston Astros?
  2. Mariners Fans Inexplicably Outraged Following Houston Astros' Social Media Post About Sweep
  3. Report: Former Astros Pitcher Fiers' Contract Terminated By CPBL Club
  4. Six Houston Astros Declared Free Agents
  5. Watch: Yordan Álvarez's Home Run Wins Astros World Series
  6. Lucas Giolito Claims All Teams Were Cheating in 2017
  7. Dusty Baker Makes His Thoughts Known on Bonds and Judge Records
  8. Is it Time to Move on From the Houston Astros Cheating Scandal?
  9. Is There Any Hope for an Aging Yuli Gurriel?
  10. Astros' Álvarez Stopped Striking Out and Became the Best Hitter in Baseball
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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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