Struggling Houston Astros Star Returns to Face Former Team

When Jose Abreu signed a lucrative $58.5 million free agent contract to leave the Chicago White Sox and join the Houston Astros, it seemed like a great move.

It still could be.

But Abreu has struggled mightily with the Astros and hasn’t been able to produce offensively.

Abreu will more chances this weekend when he faces his former team in Chicago.

The timing would be terrific to break out of his season-long slump.

Abreu is slashing .218/.265/.261 with a .525 OPS and has not homered in 151 plate appearances after hitting a career-worst 15 homers for the White Sox last season.

On paper, it looks like a poor free agent signing.

But it does take some players longer to adjust to new surroundings.

Take Nick Castellanos for instance who signed a five-year, $100 million deal before last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. After hitting a career-high 34 homers with the Cincinnati Reds, Castellanos hit only 13 home runs for the Phillies.

This season, he seems to be much more comfortable.

“I hear some of the jeers and some of the comments, and it reminds me of my first year [(1976) in L.A.,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said, referring to Abreu’s struggles. “He’s a big boy, he can handle it.”

Abreu refuses to wilt or back down, despite the slow start.

“I’m Cuban, so I’m a fighter, and that’s what we do — we just fight hard,” Abreu told reporters. “I’ll continue to fight through it.”

Expect the White Sox to show Abreu a lot of love with a video tribute and a standing ovation by the fans.

After all, Abreu gave the White Sox so much to cheer for over the years.

“He deserves a lot from the South Side,” White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito told the Sun-Times. “He did so much for the team and the community.”

It sure would be an ideal time for Abreu to locate his missing offense in this series.

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