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https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-to-sign-Michael-Brantley-13473282.php
Astros to sign Michael Brantley
By Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle
Updated 11:40 am CST, Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Cleveland Indians' Michael Brantley runs after hitting a double off Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 25, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Indians' Michael Brantley runs after hitting a double off Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, May 25, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David
Photo: David Dermer/Associated Press
The Astros are in agreement with veteran outfielder Michael Brantley on a two-year free agent deal, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Yahoo! Sports reported the deal is for two years and $32 million. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow did not respond to a request for comment on Monday night.
A three-time All-Star who's played his entire 10-year career in Cleveland, Brantley brings a veteran presence and provel lefthanded swing to the middle of Houston's order. He'll enter a wide-open left field battle, too, alongside uber prospect Kyle Tucker and Tony Kemp.
Last week at the winter meetings, general manager Jeff Luhnow said his search for more offense did not signify a loss of confidence in Tucker, the 22-year-old No. 2 prospect who had a moribund major league debut last season.
ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Michael Brantley brings a proven lefthanded swing to Astros
"I think a lot of things we're hearing him say are in the right direction," Luhnow said of Tucker. "I hope it's this year, and if it is that's a good problem to have. If we have an extra outfielder halfway through the season, we'll figure out how to deal with it.
"At this point, if we have expectations of repeating as division champions and hopefully doing damage in the postseason, we don't want to necessarily count on a rookie to produce at the level we're going to need."
Enter Brantley, who hit .309 in 143 games last season and has a .295 career average. He will instantly balance what was a righthanded-heavy Astros' lineup — one where Kemp and Josh Reddick are the only two primary returners who hit lefthanded.
The 31-year-old Bellevue, Wash. native has had an OPS more than .800 in four of his past five years. Brantley played in only 11 games during a 2016 season beset by surgeries on his shoulder and ankle.
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