By Robiel Vega
With almost 36 years of age, the now first baseman for the Houston Astros, Jose Abreuremains at the top of his position for 2023. With nine years of experience in the Major Leagues and unfailing stability during that time, the man born in Mal Tiempo will begin a new stage in his career.
Not only because for the first time he will not wear the colors of the White Sox, but also because he will replace another active Cuban baseball legend, Yuliesky Gurriel. But in addition, he will arrive with the cache of being the fourth best starter in all of baseball according to the list published by MLB on his official Twitter account.
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Abreu, who left an offensive line of .304/.378/.446/.824 (AVE/OBP/ SLG/ OPS), with 15 home runs, 40 doubles and 75 RBIs in 157 games and 679 appearances at bat, was only below of three outstanding ones such as Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals), current MVP of the National League, Frddie Freeman (Dodgers) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), the latter the only starter in the American League who is above the Cuban .
Likewise, he was ranked above illustrious names such as Pete Alonso (Mets), Matt Olson (Braves), Ty France (Mariners), Nathaniel Lowe (Rangers), Luis Arráez (Twins) and Rhys Hoskins (Phillies).
Let’s remember that Abreu signed with the Astros as a free agent for three seasons, in which he guaranteed a salary of 19.5 million dollars in each of them, a figure that is very similar to the highest salary that the Cuban ever received with the Whites. Sox, which was 19.6 million in 2022.
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For 2023, Abreu has several round figures in his sights, he is only three scored from 700, 55 hits from 1,500, seven home runs from 250 and 37 RBIs from 900, numbers he will undoubtedly achieve in the first months of the next campaign and that will elevate him, even more, in the Olympus of Cuban baseball of all time.
