Astros cut ties with Abreu

[mnfireman]

A very non-Twins type move:

https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-abreu-released-by-astros

[ashbury]

A much larger revenue base and ownership that won't hang the FO out to dry for a big mistake makes all the difference.

That's not to say it isn't a black mark, next time contract negotiations occur for the higher ups.  But this move is evidence that they don't feel on the hot seat about anything.

[Dave The Dastardly]

Please tell me the Twins aren't talking about offering him $15,000,000 for his "veteran" leadership.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

A much larger revenue base and ownership that won't hang the FO out to dry for a big mistake makes all the difference.

That's not to say it isn't a black mark, next time contract negotiations occur for the higher ups.  But this move is evidence that they don't feel on the hot seat about anything.

The Astros had no GM/Assistant GM when Abreu was signed as Jim Crane declined a 1 year contract in Nov. 2022. Their owner negotiated the Abreu contract himself so there's no real reason to hold a non-existent GM accountable.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/astros-release-jose-abreu.html#:~:text=1%3A05pm%3A The Astros announced,to Abreu on that deal.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Dave The Dastardly said:

Please tell me the Twins aren't talking about offering him $15,000,000 for his "veteran" leadership.

If any team grabs Abreu, they'll pay league minimum because the Astros have to cover the rest of the contract amount.
i.e. Twins sign Abreu and they pay him $760k for 2025, the Astros need to pay the balance of his $19.5MM owed.
if the Twins sign Abreu and they pay him $19.0MM for 2025, the Astros need to pay the balance at $500k owed.

Thus, no team will sign Abreu for more than league minimum. I'm sure a team will bring him in on a MiLB deal. The Rockies seem like a good fit. The Rockies owners are idiots who won't part with any of their good players who they control for long, but a guy like Abreu might be able to find his game and hit a few home runs with the help of Coors Field to attract enough attention to flip at the deadline.

[ashbury]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

The Astros had no GM/Assistant GM when Abreu was signed as Jim Crane declined a 1 year contract in Nov. 2022. Their owner negotiated the Abreu contract himself so there's no real reason to hold a non-existent GM accountable.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/astros-release-jose-abreu.html#:~:text=1%3A05pm%3A The Astros announced,to Abreu on that deal.

That's a very good point, and I had forgotten that bit of recent Astro history.

So nobody's job is on the line at all where it comes to Abreu? If anything it amplifies what I was saying.  Don't expect some sort of similar scenario with an underperforming Twin on a continuing contract.  Releasing Vazquez for instance would make indelible a stain on FalVine's record and they won't likely do that.

[Vanimal46]

Father Time is undefeated. Abreu’s MLB career is over. 

[Jocko87]

Christian Vazquez looks like Babe Ruth next to this guy right now.  This doesn't compare to any Twins moves or non moves. 

OPS+ 4.  Not a misprint, 4.00 in 120 PA.  After being mostly terrible last year too.

Someone will try to catch lightning in a bottle on a minor league deal but it wouldn't be me.

[cmoss84]

Yankees will pick him up to platoon with Rizzo.

[Parfigliano]

What a stupid stupid stupid contract.

[bighat]

7 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Father Time is undefeated. Abreu’s MLB career is over. 

Concur. 

[Doctor Gast]

Perfect! The Twins can pick up another slugging reject, that this FO love. School him in the "all or nothing" approach & expect him to hit a ton of HRs while playing a good 1B. But in reality, they create another SO machine.

[wabene]

Jose woke up late last year hitting 7 homers with a .835 OPS in September and October. Got that costly postseason homer against us. I will not miss him. We may never know the significance of the rubber band.