On Tuesday, Houston Astros' star second baseman, Jose Altuve, received some exciting news: he's staying put. General manager Dana Brown proudly declared that Altuve will be remaining with the Astros for the long haul.
The team officially announced on Tuesday evening that they've reached a five-year contract extension with Altuve, covering the seasons from 2025 to 2029. By the end of this extension, Altuve will be 39 years old.
Altuve, speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, expressed his deep connection to both Houston and his native Venezuela. "I have obviously two homes," he shared. "I grew up in Venezuela, my country. Every time I go there, I tell my wife ‘Let's go home.' And then when it's time to come back, I tell her ‘Let's come back home.'"
A veteran of eight All-Star appearances, two World Series championships, and the 2017 AL MVP title, Altuve acknowledged that discussions about his future began last year with his wife Nina. "I come back every day, after a night game, and I see my daughters sleeping,” he reflected. “I can wake up the next day and take them to school, so that was where the conversation where everything started, and we decided to stay here in Houston. We will never move from here."
The city of Houston celebrated Altuve's commitment by declaring Wednesday as "Jose Altuve Day," aligning with the date 2/7, mirroring Altuve's jersey number. The news conference saw a gathering of more than a dozen of Altuve's teammates and coaches, including Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio.
Astros' general manager Dana Brown expressed the team's sentiment, stating, "Jose Altuve is the heartbeat of this organization. He's a franchise player. He's on pace to be in the Hall of Fame. He's a fan favorite, and without a doubt, he's the spark to our Clubhouse, to our dugout, and he's an Astro for life."
Altuve's previous contract, which he signed on March 19, 2018, was set to expire at the end of the 2024 season. The reported value of the new extension is $125 million, with Altuve set to earn $30 million each season from 2025 to 2027.
Despite a setback with a left thumb injury last year during the World Baseball Classic, Altuve still managed impressive numbers, batting .311 with 15 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases in just 90 games played.