While his career has been relatively short thus far, Yordan Álvarez has been one of Major League Baseball’s best power hitters since getting called up. On Friday, he got rewarded for it.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Houston Astros and Álvarez have agreed on a six-year deal worth $115 million.
Slugger Yordan Álvarez and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a six-year, $115 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Contract kicks in next season. Biggest contract ever for a DH and $26M/year for 3 FA years. And Astros lock up a great hitter.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 3, 2022
It makes sense that Álvarez’s deal is the biggest ever for a DH. In addition to the fact that salaries naturally escalate from year-to-year, the DH is now used in both the American and National Leagues. While Álvarez was three years away from free agency, more potential suitors will only drive up his price.
Despite the record-setting nature of his deal, many MLB fans felt that the Astros are getting Álvarez at a bargain.
This feels like a steal https://t.co/ZMPm1FnGIc
— Mark in Philly (@MarkHenryJr_) June 3, 2022
WHAT A STEAL! Álvarez has been a beast since being called up and this is cheap for his caliber https://t.co/g50JnJ2MUr
— Jake “Iggy” Ignaszewski (@JakeIggy) June 3, 2022
SO MANY MORE dingers coming in Houston. This is a steal. #LevelUp #Astros https://t.co/bNpyJhn9Gv
— MLB Daily Dingers (@MLBDailyDingers) June 3, 2022
Steal https://t.co/TOEUqfnDnK
— Wang (@UpperKuntII) June 3, 2022
This is a HUGE W! The Kingdom of Yordan is remaining in Houston for a long, long, LONG time yet! Congratulations Yordan Alvarez & everyone at the Astros who got this deal done! 👏👏 #LevelUp #Astros https://t.co/uPoUrk5v9X
— Astros Fans UK (@AstrosFansUK) June 3, 2022
Yordan Alvarez’s Career So Far:
75 HR
217 RBI
293 H
.287 AVG
.947 OPS
.576 SLG
154 OPS+
156 wRC+And he’s only 25.
The Astros just locked up a future Top 10 Player for 6 Years $115M, that’s a team friendly deal if you ask me.#Astros #MLB https://t.co/FBiXho7DO8
— Full Count MLB (@FullCountMLB) June 3, 2022
YES! YORDAN!
Well done by the #Astros to get him locked up. This is a steal. https://t.co/kvvvKQXRty
— Cody Stoots (@Cody_Stoots) June 3, 2022
Álvarez was called up by the Astros in 2019 and has been a productive hitter ever since.
He hit .313/.412/.655 with 27 home runs in only 87 games that season and was named the American League Rookie of the Year.
After missing all but two games of the abbreviated 2020 season due to a positive COVID-19 test and knee surgery Álvarez came back big in 2021, slashing at .277/.346/.531 with 33 home runs. He was also a postseason star in 2021, hitting .522/.538/.870 with a home run and winning series American League Championship Series MVP in Houston’s six-game victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Entering Friday’s game, he was hitting .272/.367/.574 with 14 home runs in 2022.
On top of that, power hitters often tend to be at their best when they get into their mid-to-late 20s. Álvarez, meanwhile, will turn 25 later in June. So, as good as he’s been, he may just be entering his peak.
