In a surprising move, the Houston Astros have announced the release of first baseman José Abreu, just two years into his lucrative three-year, $58.5 million contract. ESPN reports that Abreu is still owed a substantial amount of $30.8 million.

Abreu, who had established himself as a top slugger during his time with the Chicago White Sox, failed to bring the same star power to the Astros after joining them as a free agent. Over his nine seasons with the White Sox, Abreu achieved remarkable accomplishments, including winning the AL MVP award in 2020 and notching three All-Star and Silver Slugger seasons.

However, the Astros rarely witnessed the formidable version of Abreu that they had hoped for when they signed him in November 2022. In the 176 games he played for the team, Abreu struggled with a disappointing.217 batting average and a.625 OPS.

The Astros attempted to jumpstart Abreu's performance by assigning him to their rookie league squad for five games, followed by a brief stint with Triple-A Sugar Land. However, even after being recalled, the 37-year-old continued to struggle at the plate, posting a dismal.167 average, a meager.186 on-base percentage, a lackluster.195 slugging percentage, and a paltry.361 OPS this season.

Abreu's struggles were evident in his poor offensive numbers, as he managed only 14 hits in 113 at-bats this season, along with two home runs and seven RBIs. With the Astros slipping in the AL West standings, the team found no justification to retain Abreu's services any longer.

The decision to release Abreu reflects the Astros' desire to make changes and find ways to improve their performance in the highly competitive AL West division. The team hopes to fill the void left by Abreu with a player who can provide a greater impact and contribute to their push for success.

As Abreu packs his bags, he carries with him both disappointment and a considerable amount of money. The Astros' decision to release him leaves Abreu with no option but to seek a new opportunity with another team, while the Astros move forward in their pursuit of a postseason berth.