The MLB world is buzzing on Tuesday. The Houston Astros agreed to extend the contract of one of their all-time greats. All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve will remain with the Astros for many more years to come.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported the news of Altuve’s extension with the club. The deal is worth a massive $125 million over five seasons. So he won’t be a free agent again until after the 2029 MLB season, which is set to be Altuve’s age-39 season.
“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
Altuve hit .311/.393/.522 in 2023. He recorded 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.
He’s recorded 2,047 hits and 209 home runs over his career, 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.
The MLB world reacted to the news.
From the owners meetings in Orlando just now, owner Jim Crane called Altuve ‘one of the best in franchise history.’ https://t.co/Io0aDSdQMu
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 7, 2024
$25 million AAV feels pretty palatable for Jim Crane. This always felt like the most logical extension of the winter.
Altuve now in Houston through 2029. https://t.co/v4t2EclrnP
— Michael Shapiro (@mshap2) February 6, 2024
José Altuve is one of just 10 second basemen in the last 75 years to have at least 7 seasons with 4+ WAR.#MLB | #Astros https://t.co/sc9t3SeH6a pic.twitter.com/sTtrWue51m
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) February 6, 2024
Jose Altuve’s last 162 games:
.303-BA
30-HR
25-SB
.899-OPSOne of the best 2B this game will ever see. https://t.co/kpUjsBAj0r
— Fuzzy (@fuzzyfromyt) February 6, 2024
Altuve knew this deal was coming before the Astros pitched it to him. https://t.co/GANw8mU6N0
— Rob Wong (@RobWong34) February 6, 2024
Recently was asked what the Astros should do long term with the eventual free agencies of Altuve, Tucker, Bregman, and Framber. I basically said "extend Altuve and Tucker, let Bregman and Framber walk." We'll see what they actually do, but totally agree on this first move. https://t.co/2jbAZA2Vvk
— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) February 6, 2024
