Michael Brantley re-signs Astros for two-year deal after Blue Jays deal ends

The Astros have agreed terms with free agent outfielder Michael Brantley for a two-year, $ 32 million contract that will bring him back to Houston, Fox’s Mark Berman 26 Reports. Jim Bowden of CBS Sports HQ confirmed the deal. The announced deal may be the end of a lightning day on the Brantley front. Earlier Wednesday, Hazel Mae and Ken Rosenthal reported that Brantley had reached a three-year deal with the Blue Jays, but the two later returned to that information.

The Jays were said to remain interested in Brantley, and they were generally expected to finalize a deal. However, that doesn’t appear to have happened and Brantley is reportedly back with the Astros. If the deal is finalized, it will be the second time Brantley has signed a two-year, $ 32 million pact with the Astros. He signed the first in December 2018.

On Tuesday night, George Springer signed a six-year contract with the Blue Jays worth $ 150 million, so the Brantley deal would prevent a second exodus of an Astros outfielder to Toronto this offseason.

Brantley, who turns 34 in May, entered the winter ranked by CBS Sports as the eighth best free agent available this winter. Here is what we wrote at the time:

If Brantley had recorded one more move in 2017 – literally one more – he would have entered next spring as the only player to beat .300 or better in four consecutive seasons. Never mind. The warp and weft of Brantley’s game is that he is a consistent and professional hitter. He will provide a good gage, a healthy clip of walks, and over 50 extra base shots. Brantley was primarily used as a DH last season for the first time in his career; it probably won’t be the last time. A team interested in maximizing its overall value should also consider parking it against lefties. For unknown reasons, he feels much older than he is: he will be 34 in mid-May next.

Over the past three seasons, Brantley has hit .309 / .368 / .484 (125 OPS +) with 44 homers and 17 goals stolen (out of 22 tries).

The Astros finished the shortened 2020 season with a 29-31 record under first-year manager Dusty Baker, but they qualified for the expanded postseason field and qualified for the ALCS for a fourth straight year despite an excessive number of injuries en route. Brantley has been a big part of their relative success, and his return improves Houston’s chances in 2021.