Jose Altuve willing to move to left for Alex Bregman

HOUSTON – Although Jose Altuve has played his entire career at second base, the 2017 American League MVP is willing to move to the outfield to accommodate third baseman Alex Bregman. 

Once the Astros’ season ended, Altuve made his voice heard. The nine-time All-Star urged the Astros to re-sign his longtime teammate. The Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, native has praised Bregman for his leadership role off the field and his ability on the diamond.

The Astros traded for All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes and signed first baseman Christian Walker last month. They also have Jeremy Peña at shortstop.

The Astros are still leaving the door open to re-sign Bregman. Granted, general manager Dana Brown said it was a long shot to re-sign Bregman, who is testing free agency for the first time in his career.

The addition of the two-time All-Star would likely stir up the Astros’ infield. Even though he has no experience in the outfield, Altuve vows to do anything to accommodate his former teammate’s return.

Jose Altuve praises Bregman

“As a teammate I want him back,” Altuve said. “He’s a big part of our team. He’ll definitely make this team better if he stays.”

“For Alex (Bregman) I’ll do whatever. Like I said he is one of the best players in the league, but he is definitely one of the best players on the team. We want him to stay, so whatever I have to do to make him stay, I’m willing to do.”

Altuve, 34, is volunteering to give up his position, which he has manned 1,759 times. His desire brought an initial shock to many of his teammates. However, the gesture comes of no surprise at all to some teammates.

Altuve is often commended for putting his team at the forefront.  

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Throughout his career, Altuve has demonstrated his will to win and do whatever it takes to make that happen. In 2020, the 5-foot-6 slugger told former Astros manager Dusty Baker to lower him in the line up because he wasn’t helping the team win.

Teammates not surprised  

Peña, who shares the middle infield with Altuve, raved about Altuve’s humility. 

Peña described Altuve as a selfless teammate who cares about the Astros overall and his teammates.

“He wants to see you do good,” Peña says of Altuve. “A lot of players say it, but he means it. He’s a guy of few words, so for him to be saying that, you know he truly believes it.”

Jose Aluve, a 2015 Gold Glove winner, has been vocal of wanting the Astros to re-sign Bregman. In the beginning of the offseason Altuve was sure Bregman would don an Astros jersey once again.

However, Altuve, 34, did admit his hopes diminished as the off-season carried on. 

Throughout the winter, Altuve has expressed to manager Joe Espada how important Bregman is to the Astros. Altuve has been advocating for Bregman a lot, and if it were up to him, he would have given him what Bregman wanted. 

Nonetheless, recent statements from Brown have Jose Altuve more optimistic of partnering with the 2024 Gold Glove winner again. 

“Now I’m in the middle,” Altuve said about his confidence level of reuniting with Bregman. “After losing every hope, I got some back again.”

Following Biggio

If the move to the outfield happens, Altuve will follow the footsteps of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.

Biggio, who began his career as a catcher in 1988, moved to the outfield briefly early in his career before moving to second base in 1992 after an All-Star nod behind the plate in 1991.

Biggio moved to the outfield after the Astros signed former National League MVP Jeff Kent before the 2003 season.

For two seasons the four-time Gold Glove Award winner adapted to the outfield, first in left field and then in center field. 

It seems likely that Altuve will play left field if a move takes place. Given that the seven-time Silver Slugger hasn’t played outfield in his 14-year MLB career, it may take time for Altuve to get accustomed to a new position.

Nonetheless, he is adamant that won’t be an issue. 

“For Alex (Bregman) nothing will be difficult,” Altuve said. “And I’m going to see it that way.”