THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL November 28: AL MVP Jose Abreu signs 3-year deal with Astros

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu spent nine productive seasons in Chicago before signing a three-year, nearly $60 million contract with the Astros on this day in béisbol, November 28, 2022.

Abreu, then 35, was one of the first international free agents from Cuba who flooded MLB, especially the White Sox, in recent years, joining fellow Cuban imports Yasmani Grandal, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert Jr.

Abreu was a 27-year-old Rookie of the Year in 2014 and was named the American League MVP in the strike-shortened 2020 season, with an MLB-best 60 RBI in 60 games played with 19 homers and a .317 average. But his time with Houston ended badly.

Abreu, who averaged 29 HR and 108 RBI over his 11-year career, had two disappointing seasons with the Astros before he was released midway through the 2025 season with a half-year left on his contract.

Also on this day: In 1966, veteran Chicago White Sox pitcher Juan Pizarro of Puerto Rico is sent to the Pirates in a trade for pitcher Wilbur Wood.

Two years removed from his 1965 AL MVP season, Twins shortstop Zoilo Versalles is shipped to the L.A. Dodgers along with pitcher Mudcat Grant for pitchers Bob Miller and Ron Perranoski and catcher John Roseboro.

EricEnfermero, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons