Altuve agrees to a five-year agreement, making him a "Lifetime Astro”

Altuve agrees to a five-year agreement, making him a "Lifetime Astro”

Altuve agrees to a five-year agreement, making him a "Lifetime Astro”

Houston Jose Altuve, one of the most successful and well-liked players in Astros history and a vital member of two World Series winning teams, will probably play out his playing days in Houston.

This is the talented second baseman's third contract extension with the Houston Astros after he signed to a five-year deal on Tuesday. The agreement covers Altuve through his age-39 season and starts in 2025. The agreement is for $125 million, including $30 million per season from 2025 to 2027, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The conditions of the agreement were not verified by the club.

At the owners' meeting in Orlando, Jim Crane, the owner of the Astros, told MLB.com, "This is big." "In 2011, Altuve was present when I arrived. There aren't many men here with as much experience as us two. In addition to his success, his retirement should be a major event for the team. More significantly, however, I believe it will be a major event for the supporters as well."

In March 2018, Altuve signed a five-year, $151 million contract with the Astros, having previously signed him to a four-year, $12.5 million pact in 2013. It will be discussed by Altuve, manager Joe Espada, general manager Dana Brown, as well as agent Scott Boras. Deal at a press conference on Wednesday morning at Minute Maid Park.

Four important Astros players, including Altuve, were set to become free agents in the next two years. Alex Bregman, a third baseman who will be a free agency after this season, is on that list. Before the 2025 season, two-time All-Stars, right fielder Kyle Tucker as well as left-hander Framber Valdez, will be available as free agents.

"Each of these guys' situations are different," Crane said. "We will undoubtedly meet with Bregman and proceed with the next agreement when the time comes. We'll let Tucker play and see how he goes since we have him for another two years.

This season, Altuve is expected to earn $26 million, which would have been his last paycheck before becoming a free agent. Altuve would wear an Astros jersey for 19 seasons if he plays out the agreement. Only Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, who spent 20 seasons playing for Houston, would trail him.

According to Crane, "He's a great guy, a great competitor, and a great member of the community." "He has everything that we need and we're glad were were able to lock him into a deal and hopefully he is going to finish his career in Houston."

Altuve played in only 90 games in 2023—his fewest in a complete season since his rookie year—due to many players being placed on the disabled list. Despite this, he still hit 17 home runs, 14 steals, and batted.311 with 51 RBI. After having surgery to fix a fractured thumb after being struck by a pitch during the World Baseball Classic, he skipped the first 43 games of the regular season. In July, a left oblique strain led him to miss 17 games.

On August 19 at Minute Maid Park vs the Mariners, he collected his 2,000th career hit. On August 28 at Fenway Park versus the Red Sox, he launched his first career home missile.

After making his Major League debut in 2011, Altuve is now among the franchise's all-time leaders in a number of categories 13 years later. Ranked third in hits (2,047), doubles (400), runs (1,062), as well as stolen bases (293); came in fifth in home runs (209), and first in lifetime batting average (.307). Altuve has 2,047 hits on his record; if he stays consistent over the five years of the agreement, he may join the exclusive 3,000-hit club.

He has been the driving force behind the Astros' most successful period in history, which has featured eight playoff trips, a Major League record seven straight ALCS appearances, four AL pennants, and two World Series championships. Through 27 home runs and 89 runs batted in, Altuve is enjoying his finest postseason performance ever and is second in AL/NL history. He was third in the postseason with 117 hits.

In addition, Altuve has won three batting crowns, a Gold Glove, six Silver Slugger trophies, eight All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove, and the 2017 AL MVP.