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Jeff Bagwell Reveals What Drew Astros To Jose Abreu

Originally posted on The Cold Wire | By Curt Bishop | Last updated 11/29/22

The Houston Astros got their man on Monday when they signed free agent slugger Jose Abreu to a three-year contract.

With Yuli Gurriel a free agent, Houston had a void to fill at first base and thus chose the former Chicago White Sox slugger.

The 35-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career on the South Side of Chicago before reaching free agency.

This season, the veteran first baseman hit .304 with 15 home runs and posted a 4.2 WAR.

One of the key people in recruiting Abreu to Houston was team legend Jeff Bagwell, who is now working as an advisor in the front office.

Today, he was asked about what drew the Astros to the veteran slugger.

“He was our No. 1 target,” said Bagwell.

“He made the most sense for our ballclub.

People can look around.

There’s obviously Aaron Judge and a whole bunch of starting pitchers, but what we needed was Jose Abreu, so he was our No. 1 choice.”

Jeff Bagwell, who helped recruit José Abreu: “He was our #1 target. He made the most sense for our ball club. People can look around. There’s obviously Aaron Judge and whole bunch of starting pitchers, but what we needed was Jose Abreu. So he was our number one choice.” pic.twitter.com/tYL2KLGUQC

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) November 29, 2022

Bagwell Explains Abreu Choice

With Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez already manning the corner outfield positions, Judge was never a possibility for Houston.

But with a vacancy at first base, Abreu was the best possible fit for the Astros.

Clearly, Bagwell felt that way, and so did others within the organization.

Abreu gives them an extra power bat to strengthen their already prolific lineup, one that features Jose Altuve, ALCS and World Series MVP Jeremy Pena, Alex Bregman, Alvarez, and Tucker.

Houston appears to have their sights set on another World Series title with their latest move.

This article first appeared on The Cold Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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