Astros make right move, extend icon Jose Altuve
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José de Jesus Ortiz, Founder & Editor in Chief
- February 6, 2024
Altuve signs 5-year, $125 million extension
When considering the top three Astros ever, only Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio compare with Jose Altuve. On Tuesday afternoon, Jim Crane took another major step toward making sure Altuve plays his entire career in Houston, just as Bagwell and Biggio did during their illustrious careers.
The Astros hope to make Jose Altuve an Astro for life. The 2017 American League MVP signed a five-year, $125 million extension to remain with the only club he has represented during his legendary career.
The Astros announced the deal Tuesday afternoon, declaring on social media that “Jose Altuve will be an Astro for life.” The $125 million figure was confirmed by a source close to the negotiations.
Jose Altuve: ‘Astro for life’
Altuve, general manager Dana Brown, manager Joe Espada and Altuve’s agent Scott Boras will hold a press conference Wednesday morning to discuss the deal.
There was a debate in the late 1990s and early 2000s as to which player was the greatest in franchise history. Some fans preferred Biggio, a member of the 3,000-hit club. Others preferred Bagwell.
“Altuve was here when I got here in 2011,” Crane told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. “We’re the only two guys that have been here that long. Not only has he performed well, but to have him hopefully retire here is a big deal for the franchise, for him and the fans, more importantly.”
Considering what he has done in leading the Astros to their first World Series title and four World Series appearances over his first 12 seasons, Altuve may have already surpassed Bagwell and Biggio.
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Altuve’s extension officially begins in the 2025 season. It runs through 2029, which could be the season Altuve joins the 3,000-hit club if he remains healthy.
Astros icon
Altuve has collected 2,047 hits over his 12-year career. He has also been elected to a franchise record eight All-Star Games, one more than Biggio had in his 20-year career.
Jose Altuve has been one of the biggest keys to the Astros’ golden generation. He has led the franchise to the last seven consecutive American League Championship Series, winning two World Series titles and four AL pennants.
Altuve’s career .307 batting average is the best in Astros history. He trails only Biggio (3,060 hits) and Bagwell (2,314) on the club’s all-time hits list. He is also third on the franchise’s list in doubles (400), runs (1,062) and stolen bases (293).
When the lights have been brightest, however, the 5-foot-6 Altuve has been a giant. He is the Astros franchise’s postseason leader in home runs with 27, which is the second highest all-time in Major League Baseball history. He is also second all-time in MLB with 89 postseason runs and third in hits with 117.
With a resume like that, Altuve deserved to write his own ticket with the Astros. Crane is keeping him in town for at least six more seasons unless Altuve requests a trade.
The $125 million extension is a major win for the Astros, Altuve and their Houston fans.
José de Jesus Ortiz
Founder & Editor in Chief
Award-winning writer José de Jesus Ortiz, a former lead sports columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has covered Major League Baseball since 1997 in Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, New York and Houston. He was the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
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