As per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, who first reported that a deal was close, and Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, who confirmed the agreement, the Houston Astros have signed free-agent outfielder Michael Brantley to a two-year, $32 million deal.
Brantley, 31, slashed .292/.349/.423 with 162-game averages of 39 doubles, 13 homers, and 79 runs batted in over the first seven years of his career, all with Cleveland, before undergoing right shoulder surgery in July 2016 and right ankle surgery in 2o17, partially derailing his career.
The left-handed hitter’s 2014 (.327/.385/.506, 20 home runs, 45 doubles, 97 RBI) and 2015 (.310/.379/.480, 15 home runs, 45 doubles, 84 RBI) seasons propelled Brantley to the cusp of superstardom, but after the injuries, some wondered whether he’d regain his All-Star form.
After returning from the shoulder procedure to play 90 games in 2017 (.299/.357/.444 with nine home runs, 20 doubles, and 52 runs batted in), the Fort Pierce, Florida native hit .309/.364/.468 with 17 homers, 76 RBI, 36 doubles, and a 123 OPS+ in 143 games; 631 plate appearances) for the Indians last season.
With Astros outfielder Josh Reddick reportedly being shopped around the league, hypothetically leaving George Springer, Tony Kemp, and Jake Marisnick as the team’s starting outfield, an addition of Brantley’s caliber should keep Houston afloat in — if not atop — the AL West.
