3 more stars Astros need to sign after Jose Abreu move

1. Willson Contreras would be Astros’ upgrade at catcher like Jose Abreu at 1B

Among the worst-kept secrets leading up to last year’s trade deadline was that the Astros were trying to upgrade at catcher with many people connecting them to Cubs star Willson Contreras. When it was all said and done, that deal never materialized, but Houston did make a deal for former-Red Sox standout Christian Vazquez.

Now, the organization can re-up on its interest in Contreras as he hits free agency.

Martin Maldonado and Vazquez are fine options but neither player offers nearly the upside that the Cubs fan-favorite does when it comes to his hitting. Over the past two seasons in Chicago, Contreras has slashed .240/.344/.452 with 43 home runs, 43 doubles and 112 RBI. And that was while playing in the heart of one of the worst overall lineups in baseball. That’s why he still has 6.7 oWAR over that span as well.

Contreras has rightfully earned the reputation as one of — if not the absolute — the best-hitting catchers in baseball. At the same time, particularly when Maldonado was the primary catcher in Houston, that has been a weak spot in the Astros order. Making another big splash by landing Contreras would be a (pardon the pun) home run for the champs.