3 Astros Players Who Will Be Screwed Most by Owners' Salary Reduction Proposal

You've heard plenty about it by now. MLB owners proposed a plan for the shortened 2020 season that would slash the salaries of players in a significant way, hitting the highest-paid stars the hardest. In short, the MLBPA is not going to take this deal, because it hardly makes sense for some players to see their earnings cut by 80% just because the billionaire owners can't make every single penny back without fans in the stands.

The Houston Astros stand to get hit pretty significantly by this, especially these three players, who are making the most on the team.

3. Jose Altuve

Non-Astros fans would absolutely love to see Jose Altuve lose as much money as possible, but let's not forget this man produced the most for this team while under a wildly cheap deal. He finally got a contract extension after the team won the World Series and was slated to make $29 million in 2020. Now? Under the proposed pay cuts, he'll be taking home $6.72 million, which is an insane 76.8% reduction.

2. Justin Verlander

Oh it gets worse! For a guy like Verlander who likely just earned the last colossal contract of his career, he cannot be happy about seeing his $33 million salary for 2020 drop down to $7.39 million, which is over a 77% hit. Losing over 3/4 of your salary to play half of a season? The MLBPA is probably laughing at this.

1. Zack Greinke

Greinke is the highest-paid player on the Astros, and before all this he was set to collect $35 million in 2020. That'll shrink to $7.84 million, which is actually less than what Rangers pitcher Jordan Lyles ($8 million) was earning for a full campaign heading into this year. Greinke has made a ton in his career, but this is undoubtedly his last big contract before he hits free agency after 2021.