Last season, Jose Altuve sent a clear message to the Houston Astros organization stating: “Hopefully I can stay here for the rest of my career…(it’s) something I would love to (do).” It appears now as if the former American League MVP will get his wish.
Astros GM Dana Brown and Jose Altuve have agreed to a five-year extension that will see the Venezuelan infielder remain with the club through the 2029 season. The contract will start and the end of the 2024 season and will include a $15 million signing bonus. According to Forbes, the bulk of the contract will be paid up front with Altuve set to earn $30 million a year in 2025, 2026 and 2027. That figure will drop to $10 million per year for the 2028 and 2029 season.
Jose Altuve will be an Astro for life. pic.twitter.com/ndPHz1lP7E
— Houston Astros (@astros) February 6, 2024
At 33 years old, Altuve was set to become a free agent at the end of the season but was keen to remain with Houston. Both parties had stated their desire for a new contract and fans of the Texas club will be relieved to see their star player returning on a long term deal.
Jose Altuve’s contribution to the Astros success over the last decade cannot be understated. He has been the leader of a talented Houston team that has appeared in the American League Championship on seven straight occasions. The team has also reached the World Series in four of those season, winning two championships.
Atluve’s numbers and accolades speak for themselves. Aside from being a former AL MVP, he is an eight-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner and a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He became the first-ever Astros player to win a AL batting title in 2014 and has won two more since (2016, 2017). If that is not impressive enough, he also led the AL in stolen bases in 2014 and 2015.
Over an impressive 1168 regular season games, Altuve has 209 home runs, 747 RBIs 293 stolen bases and has a .307 lifetime batting average.
In the modern game, it is a rarity to see a player spend their whole career with an MLB organization. Derek Jeter played his entire 20-year career with the New York Yankees. Todd Helton did it with the Colorado Rockies. It looks as if Jose Altuve will be ending his illustrious MLB career with the Houston Astros.
