The Houston Astros and outfielder Michael Brantley agreed to a two-year, $32 million contract on Monday as per multiple reports.
Brantley missed out most of the 2016 and 2017 seasons due to a shoulder injury but bounced back in 2018 to make it to the All-Star Games. He hit .309 with 17 homers and 76 RBIs throughout the 2018 season. This Monday, the Astros locked Brantley into a two-year contract that will see the left-hander play in Houston until 2020.
Brantley takes bat-to-ball handling abilities to a team full of talent, meaning he will most probably be used as a rotational player. If injuries don’t follow him to Houston, the 31-year-old is a fantastic player. In 2014, he batted .327 with 20 homers and 97 RBIs. He also made 23 steals in 156 games.
Considering Brantley is one of the best outfielders in the league, his $16 million per year contract is a great deal for the Astros. Missing out on him left Bryce Harper and A.J. Pollock as the two other above average outfielders but they’ll probably demand a lot more in wages. If not the two, Marwin Gonzalez, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis are also available free agents.
