For the first time since the 2017 season, the Astros, effective next year, will have a starting first baseman not named Yuli Gurriel. It feels weird typing out that sentence as the 38-year-old Cuban has become one of the faces of the franchise during this so-called golden era of baseball in Houston. While it is certainly possible that the organization retains him in some utility capacity, the reported signing of free-agent slugger José Abreu effectively concludes that particular chapter of Gurriel's career with Houston as a full-time regular.
At first glance, the reported three-year, $60 million contract makes a fair amount of sense for both sides.