Astros Rumor Roundup: Twins Circle Back on Bryan Abreu, Nationals Side Weighs In on Mike Rizzo

The Astros-related news from other teams' markets on Monday night and Tuesday morning came mostly out of Minnesota. Twins writers made the case that the club should go after Bryan Abreu when he hits free agency, months after Jim Crane nixed a deadline deal that would have sent him to the Twins. Washington's Nationals podcast picked up the Mike Rizzo story, and Seattle set up in-person interviews with Joe Espada. All times are Central.

Minnesota: Twins could go after Bryan Abreu again

The Minnesota Star Tribune's Twins beat writer Bobby Nightengale (not USA Today's Bob Nightengale) listed Abreu among 15 free agents who could fit the Twins' plans for 2027, published at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday. Nightengale wrote that the Twins tried to acquire Abreu at the trade deadline, "agreeing to swap outfielder Trevor Larnach for the 29-year-old righty before Astros owner Jim Crane nixed the deal." He called Abreu "one of the best relievers at racking up strikeouts" and noted he was a setup man for the Astros throughout the last five seasons.

The context matters. Nightengale wrote that owner Tom Pohlad has repeatedly promised to raise payroll and said the Twins will be "aggressive" when free agency opens next month. The Twins' top late-inning options right now are Jeff Hoffman, Andrew Morris and Yoendrys Gómez, and Nightengale wrote that there is "room to add another power reliever to the mix."

Twins Daily's Cody Christie went further in a column arguing Abreu should be among the Twins' top free-agent targets, which Twins Daily shared on X at 9:39 a.m. Christie wrote that the Twins "reportedly had an agreement in place to send outfielder Trevor Larnach to Houston" for Abreu before Crane vetoed the deal, and that Houston instead acquired Daulton Varsho from Toronto. He pointed to Abreu's 2.56 ERA and 476 strikeouts in 344 innings over the past five seasons. He also didn't skip the walks: Abreu had a 12.54 ERA with 15 walks in a disastrous April this season, then a 2.19 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 53 innings after May 1.

On price, Christie's figure is his own estimate, not a report. He wrote that the Twins would have to weigh the risk of "a multi-year deal worth (in all likelihood) over $25 million."

For Houston, Abreu is one of the bigger bullpen questions of the winter. A team that already agreed to trade for him once looks like a real suitor, at least according to the people who cover it.

Washington: Nationals podcast takes up Rizzo

We covered USA Today's report that the Astros are interviewing former Nationals GM Mike Rizzo in our story Monday. On Tuesday the story reached Washington's side. Mark Zuckerman and Al Galdi opened the first offseason episode of their Nats Chat podcast, "Rizzo Interviewing in Houston," with the topic. According to the episode notes, "According to USA Today, Mike Rizzo is under consideration for Houston's vacant GM job," and Rizzo "has not taken a new job since getting fired last summer by the Nationals." Zuckerman promoted the episode on X at 8:29 a.m., leading with "Rizzo as Astros GM?"

Nationals On SI's Brad Wakai also recapped the report, citing Bob Nightengale's line that Rizzo "has strong respect for Astros owner Jim Crane." Wakai noted Rizzo had earlier interviewed with the Athletics and pulled out, which Nightengale attributed to Rizzo's preference for the Astros job.

Seattle: Espada heads in for an in-person interview

MLB.com's Daniel Kramer reported Monday evening, citing multiple sources, that the Mariners are bringing in former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler, a former Astros coach, for in-person interviews at T-Mobile Park this week. Kramer posted it on X at 7:32 p.m. He wrote that it will be the third round of interviews for both men, but that it's unclear whether this is a "finalist" stage. We've added the details to our Espada story.

What's next

The World Series could end as soon as Tuesday night, and the Star Tribune expects free agency to start next month, ahead of a possible lockout when the collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1. That means Abreu's market could take shape quickly. The Twins' interest is worth watching, and the Astros still haven't named a GM. In Seattle, this week's interviews could move the Mariners close to a hire. We'll keep tracking it here every day.

Around the MLB

Brewers one win from their first title. Milwaukee crushed Tampa Bay 10-1 in Game 3 on Monday night at Tropicana Field and leads the World Series 3-0, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince wrote. The Brewers scored eight runs with two outs in the fifth inning, something no team had ever done in a single World Series inning, and they did it without a home run. Jackson Chourio had four hits by the end of the fifth, one shy of tying the World Series single-game record. Rookie lefty Robert Gasser threw six scoreless one-hit innings on 75 pitches, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. He's the first rookie starter to do that in a World Series game and the first starter to face the minimum through six since Curt Schilling in Game 7 in 2001. "To be nervous or scared would only be cheating myself and my teammates," Gasser said. Brandon Woodruff pitched the ninth, his first appearance in nearly four months, and the Rays scored their only run that inning. Game 4 is Tuesday at 7 p.m. on FOX. MLB.com's preview lists Griffin Jax as the Rays' starter, and the Brewers hadn't announced theirs.

Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune (Bobby Nightengale); Twins Daily (Cody Christie); Twins Daily on X; Nats Chat podcast; Mark Zuckerman on X; Nationals On SI (Brad Wakai); MLB.com (Daniel Kramer); Daniel Kramer, MLB.com, on X; MLB.com (Anthony Castrovince); MLB.com (Bryan Hoch); MLB.com Game 4 preview.