Houston Astros Avoid Arbitration by Shelling Out New Contracts

The Houston Astros were able to avoid salary arbitration with several young stars on Thursday.

The Houston Astros have reached agreements with six of their arbitration-eligible players, per The Athletic and KPRC in Houston.

Those six players were outfielders Kyle Tucker and Chas McCormick, along with pitchers Jose Urquidy, Luis Garcia, Framber Valdez and Bryan Abreu.

One arbitration-eligible players remained without a deal Thursday — utility player Mauricio Dubón.

While Tucker, Urquidy and Valdez were in their second year of arbitration, McCormick, Garcia and Abreu were in their first year.

The Astros had until early Thursday afternoon to reach agreements. Arbitration figures between the team and the remaining players will be exchanged Thursday evening, if needed.

Tucker's deal was reportedly a $12 million one-year deal after losing an arbitration hearing with the Astros last offseason. It's still a $7 million raise over the $5 million he got in 2023. 

Tucker was the Astros 2023 Player of the Year and nearly had a 30 home run/30 steal season. 

Valdez agreed to a $12.1 million deal. Valdez was named the Astros Pitcher of the Year as he went 12-11 this season with a 3.45 ERA and a career-high 200 strikeouts and made his second straight All-Star team. He threw a no-hitter.

Urquidy claimed the biggest one-year deal, per reports, of $3.75 million. The 28-year-old right-hander battled injurie last season and made 16 appearances (10 starts) and went 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA. In 2022 he went 13-8 with a 3.94 ERA as he helped the Astros win the World Series.

McCormick signed a reported $2.85 million for 2024. McCormick cemented himself as a fan favorite last season as he batted .273/.353/.489/.842, while setting career highs with 22 home runs and 70 RBI.

Garcia will get $1.875 million in 2024 even though he barely pitched last season after he underwent Tommy John surgery. Garcia went 2-4 with a 5.79 ERA before the injury. He is expected back sometime in 2024. With the Astros in 2022 he went 15-8 with a 3.72 ERA and is 28-19 in his MLB career.

Abreu could be the Astros’ closer of the future with Ryan Pressly entering the final year of his current contract. Abreu will get $1.75 million.

Abreu went 3-2 with a 1.75 ERA last season as one of the Astros’ top set-up men. He threw in a career-high 72 games and added five saves in nine opportunities.