The defending World Collection champion Houston Astros are bringing again a well-known face. Michael Brantley is returning to Houston on a one-year contract value $12 million, according to The Athletic. The deal consists of $4 million in incentives, according to the New York Post. The Astros haven’t but introduced the signing.
Brantley, 35, was hampered by a shoulder damage this yr that required season-ending surgical procedure in August. He didn’t play after June 26 and the surgical procedure got here with a 5-6 month restoration. Brantley stated in September that he expects to have the ability to resume baseball actions in time for the beginning of spring coaching.
“I did all the pieces in my energy. All the blokes on this locker room know precisely what I went via, and I respect their help, however on the identical time I simply could not get to the place I wanted to be to play at this stage,” Brantley informed SportsRadio 610 in September. “… “I’ve been via this earlier than. I gotta put within the effort and time to get my shoulder again proper. As of proper now I am doing nice.”
Previous to the damage, Brantley authored .288/.370/.416 batting line with 5 residence runs in 64 video games. His energy was diminished by the shoulder damage, although he remained a wonderful contact bat and on-base man. Our R.J. Anderson ranked Brantley the Fifteenth-best free agent out there this offseason. Here is his write-up:
Brantley is and has been a terrific hitter for practically the length of his big-league profession. He’ll flip 36 in Could, although, and he did not play after June 26 due to a shoulder damage that required surgical procedure. He is a prime candidate to signal a one-year cope with the Astros or one other contender prepared to guess that he makes a full restoration.
From 2019-21, Brantley authored a .310/.367/.474 batting line in over 1,300 plate appearances with the Astros. This yr was the second time the five-time All-Star needed to miss the World Collection with an damage — ankle surgical procedure saved him out of the lineup for Cleveland within the 2016 Fall Traditional.
The Astros have Jake Meyers and Mauricio Dubón as outfield depth within the occasion Brantley just isn’t prepared for Opening Day. They’ll additionally put Yordan Alvarez in left area and slot in another person at DH, reminiscent of David Hensley. Houston signed José Abreu earlier this offseason and, as soon as Brantley is wholesome, the lineup will once more be fearsome and among the finest within the sport.
Houston received 106 video games en path to their fifth AL West title within the final six years in 2022. They went 11-2 within the postseason to seize the franchise’s second World Collection championship.
