Former White Sox first baseman José Abreu agreed to a three-year, $58 million deal with the Astros on Monday, dealing a blow to the Red Sox’ offseason aspirations.
According to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, Abreu was “Boston’s No. 1 outside target,” and the Red Sox had met with the 2020 AL MVP “as soon as free agency started.”
Abreu, 35, would have helped to fill Boston’s need for a hard-hitting right-handed hitter while not breaking the bank. He slashed .304/.378/.446 with 15 home runs and 75 RBI in 157 games last season.