Astros, Mccullers agree to $85 million extension.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Houston Astros are in agreement with starter Lance Mccullers Jr. on a five-year contract extension worth $85 million, a person with knowledge of the deal told Hearst Newspapers on Wednesday.
Mccullers entered “deep” negotiations with the team earlier this week, Hearst Newspapers reported Tuesday night. His deal is the longest and most lucrative given to a starting pitcher in Jim Crane’s ownership tenure, surpassing the three-year, $30 million deal Scott Feldman received in 2014.
Keeping Mccullers solidifies an Astros’ starting rotation bracing for other departures. Veterans Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke are in their final season under contract, leaving Houston without an established ace atop its rotation.
Mccullers does not fit that mold — he’s never thrown more than 128 innings in any major league season — but possesses an elite arsenal that’s drawn rave reviews in spring training. He has a 3.70 ERA and 3.29 FIP in 5082⁄3 big league innings.
Greinke and Verlander’s impending departures will clear nearly $57 million in payroll space for 2021, too, allowing the Astros to splurge on Mccullers while being mindful of the competitive balance tax.
Vaccine access coming soon
The Astros are hoping their players and staff will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine by April 7, when they’re scheduled to return home to Houston following a six-game, season-opening road trip.
General manager James Click said the club is in ongoing communication with Houston Methodist, the team’s official health care provider, to determine a best method for access to the inoculation for players and staff.
“We’re hoping that it will be available some time around then,” Click said. “Again, making sure we don’t cut the line in any way, shape or form. We obviously played 60 games and more last year with the virus in similar levels throughout the country. If we follow the PPE and mask protocols and mandates, we’re sure our guys will be safe.”
All Texans 16 and older are eligible for the vaccine beginning Monday, when the Astros will play their final Grapefruit League game in West Palm Beach. Houston opens the season April 1 in Oakland against the A’s, but will remain in Florida before flying there.
Major League Baseball has a mandatory off day on March 31 for all clubs, so the Astros will work out on the morning of March 30 before leaving for California.
Struggling OF Souza released
The Astros are releasing outfielder Steven Souza Jr., a person with knowledge of the team’s plans told Hearst Newspapers, offering some clarity into the ongoing battle for the fourth outfield spot.
The Astros signed Souza to a minor league contract this winter in hopes of providing competition for its depth-depleted outfield. The 31-year-old veteran struggled mightily in Grapefruit League play, striking out 13 times in 22 at-bats.
Souza’s departure leaves Jose Siri and Chas Mccormick in competition for the team’s opening day roster.