When the Astros won their first World Series title in 2017, the front office opted to largely stand pat the following winter. The biggest contract Houston gave out was a two-year, $14 million deal to relief pitcher Joe Smith, a perfectly fine acquisition with an appropriately mundane name in keeping with this narrative.
With Monday’s signing of José Abreu, it appears Houston is going for a different title defense approach this time around.
As great as Yuli Gurriel was during this past postseason, the Astros addressed a glaring weakness by adding the 2020 American League MVP to its deep assembly of talent, making a strong statement that next season could bring MLB’s first repeat champion in 23 years.