Flexibility could go a long way for Abreu
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — After the worst statistical season of his career, José Abreu added a new aspect to his winter regimen. The 37-year-old Astros first baseman took up Pilates at the urging of his agent. And he loved it.
“It's for the whole body, something incredible,” Abreu said through an interpreter Monday. “Recommend you do it as well.”
Abreu posted a .237/.296/.383 slash line and an 87 Ops-plus, 13% below MLB average, in his first season with the Astros. He dealt with a recurring back injury that impacted his ability to use his lower half in his swing and went on the IL in August after acknowledging the issue to the team. He returned to slug .530 over his final 31 regularseason games and hit .295 in the playoffs.
Pilates proved good for more than just his back, said Abreu, who deemed it “something very healthy for people to do.” He did three sessions a week in the offseason and plans to continue them during the season. Monday, Abreu said his back is “all good” as spring training starts. He did infield drills and offered a mild surprise when he stood in for live batting practice.
“He said he was just going to track (pitches), and he came out hacking, which is awesome,” manager Joe Espada said. “His infield drills we didn't get on the field (Monday), but his hands look good. He's saying all the right things. He feels so much better than he did last year when he first got to camp.”
Preserving that could be paramount to Abreu's producing more in year two of his threeyear, $58.5 million contract. Both Espada and general manager Dana Brown have said the Astros might be proactive by giving Abreu more days off or at designated hitter this season, hoping he will benefit from the extra rest. Espada said Tuesday he has broached the idea with Abreu.
“We talked about that,” Espada said. “Not only with him but with some of our everyday players. That DH spot can be beneficial for a lot of them. And he knows where I stand with that. There's some quick turnaround games, some travel days that he can benefit from just having a DH or just getting a little off day. So he's open to that.”
How the Astros would spell Abreu at first base is a question. Jon Singleton offers an option if he makes the roster in a bench role. New backup catcher Victor Caratini has played 2902⁄3 innings at first in the majors. Mauricio Dubón played two games at first base last year. Grae Kessinger or Trey Cabbage could provide coverage if on Houston's roster.
“However we put a team together, that's something that we'll take into consideration: Who can help Abreu over there at first on off days?” Espada said.
Abreu owns a track record of being an everyday player and a reputation for work ethic to keep himself available. He played in 150 or more games in six of eight full-length seasons with the White Sox and all 60 games in the short 2020 season. He tried to play through his back issue last season and appeared in 141 games, starting 134 at first base, despite its apparent effects.
“I think last year I felt indebted to the organization,” Abreu said, “and I tried to just prepare as well as possible to be able to contribute.”
Abreu did make at least 29 starts at DH in four seasons with Chicago, so the concept is not unfamiliar. He acknowledged Monday the choice might not be his.
“Obviously, (Espada) is the guy that gets to make those decisions,” Abreu said. “For me, if I'm in a good position that I can play first base, obviously I would like to do that. But the most important thing is that the team can win. And if the team can win with me being there, that's what we're going to do.”
Last year's playoffs offered a glimpse of Abreu's previous form. He hit four home runs and drove in 13 runs in 11 postseason games. His exit velocities and hard-hit rate ticked upward in the season's final month, a trend the Astros must hope he can maintain.
“The past is the past,” Abreu said. “Sometimes when things don't go well, you've got to try to take some things, learn from it. … Try and learn as much as you can from the bad things and make the adjustments.”