The club makes a oneyear, $15.8 million offer to free-agent OF Colby Rasmus.
Colby Rasmus, who found the welcoming clubhouse with the Astros this past season that had eluded him previously in his career, must decide if a $15.8 million, one-year deal is enough to remain in Houston.
General manager Jeff Luhnow extended the veteran outfielder a qualifying offer Friday, meaning the Astros will be guaranteed a supplemental round draft pick in June’s draft if Rasmus signs elsewhere.
Rasmus, 29, has seven days to accept or decline and seek a multi-year deal elsewhere. His agent Bobby Barad is expected to attend the general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., next Monday through Thursday to gauge the market for his client.
Feeling at home
Luhnow said he will not have any comment on Rasmus at this point.
Barad also declined to comment on the Astros’ decision to make a qualifying offer, which was a surprise to some even though Luhnow’s front office loves to stockpile draft picks.
After signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Astros before last season, Rasmus hit a career-high 25 home runs in the regular season.
Under A.J. Hinch, Rasmus found a manager who created an atmosphere that welcomed all personalities.
Rasmus had struggled at times to fit in with teammates since his debut at 22 with St. Louis in 2009, and his stint in Toronto ended on a sour note after he was benched for most of September 2014.
But Rasmus felt at home with the Astros.
“I’ve always been a little different, which has kept me in a little trouble in this game,” Rasmus said before the playoffs. “I really try to just treat everybody as people, as human beings. (And) not define them as what they do on a baseball field or what time they get here, how they manage their time in the cage.
“I try to be good to everybody. So I guess if somebody would take something from that, I hope they would do the same down the road to other players.”
A terror in the playoffs
Equally important, Rasmus led on the field during the Astros’ first playoff action since 2005.
He was the Astros’ best offensive weapon in the postseason, hitting four home runs with six RBIs and seven walks while batting .412 (7-for-17) over six games. He likely will play left field if he re-signs, but he can excel at all three outfield spots.