The Houston Astros moved to extend one of their all-time greats on Tuesday. Houston announced that they’ve agreed to a contract extension with All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve.
The Astros and Altuve came to terms on an agreement worth a whopping $125 million over five seasons. He was set to become a free agent following the 2024 Major League Baseball season. This move ensures that Altuve won’t hit free agency for another six seasons.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported the news of Altuve’s extension with the Astros.
“Second baseman Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $125 million contract extension,” Passan wrote. “Altuve was set to hit free agency after this season but will remain with the team for which he has played since his debut in 2011.”
Passan broke the news on X, the popular website formerly known as Twitter.
Second baseman Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $125 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Altuve was set to hit free agency after this season but will remain with the team for which he has played since his debut in 2011.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 6, 2024
Last season, Altuve hit .311/.393/.522, good for an OPS of .915 and an OPS+ of 151. His .915 OPS marked the fifth time he’s achieved an on-base plus slugging percentage of over .900 since his career began in 2011. He also hit over .300 for the seventh time in his illustrious career.
Across his career, he’s recorded 2,047 hits and 209 home runs and has hit .307/.364/.471 for an OPS of .834. He’s among the best second basemen ever to play the game and one of the best of his era.
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Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022