Houston Astros Demote Former MVP to Minor League Rookie Team

I'm not sure if this has ever happened before, but in a shocking move, the Houston Astros have sent a former American League Most Valuable Player all of the way from the majors to the rookie complex league in Florida. Not just sent to Triple A or even Single A, all the way to rookie league baseball.

The Astros announced this week that Jose Abreu is being reassigned to the FCL (Florida Complex League) Astros in West Palm Beach, Florida. A league usually reserved for raw prospects, and very young players. But Abreu will now join the roster.

In 2024, the 37-year-old slugger is having the worst season of his career. Through 22 games, Abreu is hitting .099 with no home runs, 3 RBIs, and just 7 hits. This is coming off a low point for Abreu's career in 2023, where he hit just .237 and 18 home runs in his first season with the Houston Astros.

Abreu joined the Astros in late 2022, when he signed a 3-year $58.5 million contract. This contract was earned after a 9 year career with the Chicago White Sox, where Abreu hit 243 home runs while carrying a .292 average. He won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2014, was a 3-time All Star selection, won 3 Silver Slugger Awards, gained Most Valuable Player votes in 7 seasons, and won that MVP Award in 2020.

But since arriving in Houston, Abreu has struggled to find that same success. Which has led us to where we are now, with Abreu getting sent all the way to the bottom of Minor League Baseball.

Unlike an outright release, or player getting waived, this is a cooperative effort between the Astros' front office and Abreu. The Astros still believe that Abreu has talent they can use with the big league club, and are hoping that this minor league time can help him recapture what he had in Chicago. Abreu apparently believes the same, because he's cooperating with the team to try and get his swing back.