Altuve signs long term extension with Astros worth over $100 million

*Photo from Houston Public Media*

   Houston for life for this superstar. 2B Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros have agreed to a 5 year, $125 million contract extension, according to an announcement by the team on Tuesday.

   The deal will start in 2025 and will expire at the end of Altuve's age 39 season. He gets $30 million annually in the first 3 seasons and a $15 million signing bonus before making $25 million in 2028 and $10 million in 2029.

   Houston owner Jim Crane said of Altuve that "Altuve was here when I got here in 2011. 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, and I think it’s a big deal for him and a big deal for the fans, more importantly."

   Despite a late start to last season due to an injury in the WBC, Altuve had a big year for the Astros. He had a .311/.393/.522 slash line with a 151 OPS+, 21 doubles, 17 home runs, and 51 RBI's in 90 games. He added 4 home runs and 6 RBI's in 11 playoff games.

   If Altuve plays out all 5 years of his upcoming contract, he'll be second behind Craig Biggio for the longest tenured Astros player. Altuve would be at 19 seasons, while Biggio played 20 with Houston. Altuve was scheduled to hit free agency at the end of 2024.

   Altuve has played all 13 major league seasons with the Astros, debuting in 2011. He has a lifetime .307/.364/.471 slash line with a 129 OPS+, hitting 400 doubles and 209 home runs with 747 RBI's in 1,668 games. He has a .273/.340/.510 slash line with 27 home runs and 55 RBI's in 103 playoff games over 8 years.

   In 2023, Altuve reached 2,000 career hits and had his first career cycle. In Astros history, he ranks first in career batting average at .307, 3rd in hits, runs scored, doubles and stolen bases to go with 5th in home runs. With 2,047 hits, it's possible Altuve makes it to 3,000 by the end of his contract.

   Throughout his lengthy career, Altuve has been selected to 8 All Star Games and won 6 silver slugger awards, 3 AL batting titles, a gold glove award and the 2017 AL MVP.