Texas Rangers Rival Astros Extend All-Star Five More Seasons
The Texas Rangers’ top rival in the American League West has ensured their leader will wrap up his career in Houston.
The Houston Astros signed veteran second baseman Jose Altuve to a five-year contract extension, one that will kick in next season and allow him to achieve a couple of milestones.
First, he’ll remain with Houston through 2029, which will be his age 38 season. At that point he will be an 18-year veteran and may be looking to retire. Or, he could remain with Houston on a shorter deal, but Altuve’s stated goal has always been to be with the Astros for life.
Second, the extension ensures he will be the first second baseman in baseball history to make $300 million in career earnings. Altuve signed with the Astros on a $15,000 deal as a 16-year-old in his native Venezuela.
Altuve will receive a $15 million signing bonus, according to USA Today. For the first three years of his deal the annual salary will be $30 million. For the final two years the annual salary will be $10 million. That brings the total for the extension to $125 million, including the bonus.
Altuve has been a continual thorn in the Rangers’ side since he reached the Majors and the Astros joined the American League. The deal ensures that rivalry will continue.
Altuve helped the Astros win two World Series in 2017 and 2022. The Astros reached the AL Championship Series last fall, losing in seven games to eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers.
Altuve missed the first two months of the season after suffering an injury playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
Even with that injury, he produced. He slashed .311/.393/.522/.915 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI.
He also hit for the cycle and became the third Astros player to reach 2,000 hits with the team, joining Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell.
He is a career .307 hitter with 209 home runs and 747 RBI. He was the 2017 American League MVP and has been named to the AL All-Star Team eight times. He’s also won five Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove.
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