The Houston Astros have released former American League MVP José Abreu midway through his three-year, $58.5 million contract due to his significant struggles at the plate. Abreu, who was hitting just .124 with two home runs and seven RBIs this season, spent nearly a month in the minors but failed to improve upon returning to the majors. Despite a strong finish in the 2023 season and postseason, his overall tenure with the Astros has been disappointing, with Abreu posting a negative WAR and a substantial drop in offensive production. The Astros will still owe him around $30 million, making this one of the most costly mistakes in the franchise's history. Jon Singleton is expected to take over first base duties as the Astros look to turn their season around, currently sitting third in the AL West. Abreu's release marks a significant move for the Astros, who are trying to remain competitive in a challenging division.