The Astros are in agreement on a deal with outfielder Steven Souza Jr., reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (Twitter link). It’s a minor-league deal, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Souza’s deal comes with an invitation to major league spring training, per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle.
Souza once looked like a potential core piece on the heels of a strong three-year run with the Rays, culminating in a .239/.351/.459 (121 wRC+), 30-homer season in 2017. After that campaign, the Diamondbacks acquired Souza in a three-team trade involving Tampa Bay and the Yankees.
Unfortunately, the move didn’t pan out. Souza struggled with both injuries and underperformance in 2018, then suffered a devastating knee injury near the end of the following spring training. That ended his 2019 season before it began; the Diamondbacks non-tendered him that winter. Souza did manage to return to the big leagues in 2020 after signing a one-year deal with the Cubs. His stay in Chicago lasted only eleven games, though, thanks in part to another stint on the injured list (this time for a hamstring strain).
It has now been three years since Souza’s managed a full, healthy season. Nevertheless, there’s no risk for the Astros in bringing the 31-year-old in on a non-roster deal and giving him an opportunity to compete for a job in spring training. It looks to be a decent landing spot for Souza, as there’s little depth in the Astros’ corner outfield behind projected starters Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker.
I can’t help but feeling that this guy has such a bad vibe surrounding him. The way he runs the bases, runs the outfield, the way he talks it all seems like just too much and careless. My feeling on how he got injured as well. He should just focus on playing ball and have fun and leave all the other stuff like his Podcast and Twitter confrontations. Get a good vibe, man, and maybe you get to experience a bit of success again.
I would of thought JBJ would be going to Houston to replace Springer. How much is JBJ looking to get.
Signing a player to a minors deal does not preclude the Astos from signing JBJ, there are probably a lot of offers on his table.
Could happen. JBJ needs to be platooned and Souza could be the RH bat to face lefties. Possibly. Or RH bat for Alvarez and Straw plays CF for JBJ.
I don’t think Souza has what it takes to play for the Astros.
I don’t think Souza has what it takes to play for the Astros.
Astros are not signing JBJ. They are done except for low cost signing of a bullpen or back of the rotation arm. By low cost we are talking $2-3M tops. Correa will win his arb which means the team has less than $10M to spend and they want to leave a cushion for trade deadline acquisition. They will NOT go over the tax threshold because of how it would impact the draft pick compensation for the Jays signing Springer. Straw is the starter and they are going to see what he can do.
Astros are right up against the tax threshold. I’d like to see a low-cost signing like Kevin Pillar but they’re definitely out on bigger, multi-year things like JBJ. Heck they were after Brad Hand but he ended up signing for just ten million for one year, they wouldn’t even do that.
Doubt he makes the team, but there’s no risk in signing NRI’s, can’t have too many of those. Could use some SP depth in this form as well.
In DC, Souza will forever be remembered for two things.
A great no-hitter saving catch for the last out of the 2014 season, and being the centerpiece of the trade that landed Trea Turner in DC.
For anyone who was still wondering who won the Souza – Trea Turner deal, the Rays, Padres, or Nationals….
Rays still kicking themselves for that one, kept Souza over Turner. Ouch!!
Except the Rays never had Turner.
Yes they originally obtained him from Padres and flipped him for Souza. Look up details of the trade and you’ll see I’m 100% correct.
You are not even 1% correct. It was a three team trade with several players from all sides.
*And Turner was never part of the original trade!*
He was a player to be named later. The Nats picked Turner many months later as the PTBNL when Turner was finally eligible to be traded.
First off, they didn’t pick him months later. He had to be a PTBNL because draft picks can’t be traded for 1 year after they’re drafted and signed. Secondly, the Rays never had him because it was a 3 team trade. He went directly from the Padres to the Nats.
Astros need a RH hitter with Brantley/Tucker/Alvarez all being LH. Not a bad move, could still use a CF
Altuve bregman and gurriel are all righties. The lineup is as balanced as balance gets. Your comment makes no sense
Not saying its not balanced but when you’re LF/RF/DH is LH its good to have a RH who can play those positions
Souza always had the skill set, it just never translated. It’s a good move for the ‘Stros. You never know, players aren’t fixed quantities, they mature, they change their lifestyle, they find Jesus, or whatever. At his age, he might be in that type of transition phase.
I remember a 1b whose entire approach to his craft was so bad, his manager (Tom Kelly) threatened to beat the krap out of him constantly. So he signs with Boston and morphs into the beloved Big Papi..
So you’re saying Souza should take a ton of roids?
Good deal. He’d be a decent 4th OFer. No risk in this deal.
I know Click alluded to Houston being done spending, but they still need a CF-er, specifically JBJ. The current OFers defensive abilities leaves a lot to be desired. An aging LFer with injury history, a young CFer who recently transitioned to the OF, and a young RFer who is improving but not a show stopper in the field yet. Need someone in CF who can cover lots of ground, steal some base hits, and plays good angles. JBJ is that guy.
JBJ is reported to want 4/60m. Too much.
He can want it, but he’s not going to get it
Wait, who recently transitioned to OF? If you are referring to Straw, he started getting work at SS 2 years ago, but he was a OF all throughout the minors. Otherwise, I’m curious who moved to the outfield?
Exactly what you’re looking for on this type of deal. You won’t be too nervous if he’s called up for a week or two and there’s still an outside shot he has a good year in him.
I don’t understand how an obviously talented player ends up on a minor league deal with a team like the Astros instead of being a low-risk, high-return starter on a team like the Pirates or Orioles. Really PIT or BAL, you couldn’t give this guy a 1 year deal and flip him at the All Star Break?
Well you’re just some guy so..
Kidding. If he can manage to play center he probably considers himself good enough to take some ab’s away from straw. Astros are probably going to win the west. Better to play for a contender than a bottom team.
Man hasn’t hit crap for the last two years. Hell, was not even able to lift the ball in the Dominican Winter League. This is all he can possible get.
Could be a shrewd move for Houston.