Brian Abreu He is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2026 season, and the reliever told The Athletic’s Chandler Rome that the Astros have not yet negotiated any extension with his representatives at ISE Baseball. Abreu said he would be open to such negotiations, saying:Baseball player’s dream” is “stay together forever.”
Abreu signed as an international free agent in 2013 for just a $40,000 bonus. Jose Altuve ($15,000), Framber Valdez ($10,000), Christian Javier ($10,000) and Luis Garcia ($20K) is an underrated international signing who has had a major impact on Astros baseball over the past decade. Abreu emerged as a bullpen force in Houston’s 2022 World Series, and over the past four seasons, the right-hander has posted a 2.30 ERA, 34.3% strikeout rate and 95 runs batted in 281 2/3 innings. He also has a 2.49 ERA in 21 2/3 career postseason innings, highlighted by one inning during the Astros’ no-hitter against the Phillies in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series.
Walks have been a constant problem for Abreu, and opposing hitters have made much harder contact than usual on his offerings in 2025 than last season. Still, over the past four years, only two pitchers have made more appearances than Abreu’s 275 appearances on the mound, and this combination of durability, low-90s velocity, elite strikeout power and bottom line has quietly established Abreu as one of the better relievers in the sport.
If he maintains his usual level of performance, a multi-year, big payday could be waiting for Abreu in free agency next winter when he hits the market before his age-30 season. As Rome noted, the exact size of the contract could depend on whether rival teams view Abreu as a setup man or a closer. Josh Hader He begins the season on the injured list.
Abreu has 16 career saves on his resume, seven of which came after Hader’s season ended last August with a capsular sprain in his throwing shoulder. In 18 games and 18 2/3 innings since Hader’s last game on August 8, Abreu has held opponents scoreless in 15 of those outings, but has had three multi-run outings, raising his ERA to 3.86.
Of course, it’s too small a sample size to draw any big conclusions, and whatever Abreu does as the Astros’ closer this year isn’t going to move the needle on gauging his next contract. As we’ve seen with reliever contracts in recent years, teams seem willing to pay more based on future projections than specific past results. Abreu’s combination of a strong track record in the closer role and upside ahead will likely serve him well in free agency.
This assumes Abreu will test the market at all, as it’s not too late for the Astros to seek a deal. Teams typically wait until after spring training to look into extension-related business. But one might have imagined that the Astros might have brought up this topic in Abreu’s camp at some point before.
Houston has been active over the years in locking up some of its core members while allowing others in (Valdez, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correaetc.) simply perform a contract or team control and then move on to another team. Most of the Astros’ extended pitchers were hit long before the players hit the open market. Ryan Presley He signed two contract extensions heading into his final year before becoming a free agent. However, both of Pressly’s contracts were two-year contracts. It will take at least three years, and very likely four, to convince Abreu to abandon the public markets and stay put.
The Astros’ books will be down with some money if: Lance McCullers Jr.The contract expires at the end of the season, Tatsuya Imai You have the right to opt out of the remaining two years of your contract. Whether that means the Astros will be more open to re-signing Abreu or not remains to be seen. That’s because Houston still has a lot of other salary money on its long-term books. Of that contract, Hader is owed $57 million through the 2028 season, so re-signing Abreu means the Astros can get away with committing hefty salaries to two relievers.
