The Houston Astros have announced a lucrative contract extension with second baseman Jose Altuve. The deal, worth $125 million over five years, was not unexpected. Altuve was nearing free agency, making it likely that the Astros would make an effort to retain him. Additionally, Altuve, despite being 33 years old, has shown no signs of decline and continues to perform at a high level both in the regular season and playoffs. While there is some risk associated with his age, it made sense for the Astros to keep him on the team. Altuve has been a member of the Astros since 2007 when he signed as an amateur free agent. After a successful minor league career, he made his MLB debut in 2011.
Altuve recently shared an amusing anecdote about his first season in the majors. When he was called up in 2011, the Astros informed him that it was only a temporary arrangement until they could find another second baseman. However, Altuve’s performance proved that he was more than capable of holding down the position, and he has since become a dominant force in MLB. The Astros, at the time of Altuve’s call-up, were one of the worst teams in baseball, finishing the season with a 56-106 record. It is often forgotten that the Astros went through a period of intentional losing in order to build their current successful team. Altuve’s initial role was meant to be temporary, but his skills and determination secured his place on the roster.
In his first season, Altuve had a batting line of .276/.297/.357 in 57 games. This performance earned him another opportunity in 2012, where he improved with a .290/.340/.399 line, along with seven home runs and 33 stolen bases. It was clear that Altuve possessed the talent to be a starting-caliber player, despite being overlooked throughout his life due to his height. In 2014, Altuve had a standout season with a .341/.377/.453 line, accompanied by 56 stolen bases. He further solidified his status as a star by winning the MVP award in 2017, hitting 24 home runs and stealing 32 bases. Altuve’s accomplishments include being a two-time World Series champion, a three-time batting champion, and an eight-time All-Star. He currently has 2,047 hits in his career. It is safe to say that the Astros made the right decision in sticking with Altuve as their second baseman.