HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros have locked up their American League MVP second baseman for the foreseeable future.
Jose Altuve agreed to a new seven-year deal, extending his current two-year contract by five years, the team announced Monday. This keeps star second baseman in a Houston uniform until at least the 2024 season. The deal is worth $163.5 million over seven seasons that guarantees an additional $151 million over five seasons, the Associated Press reports.
“My family and I have made Houston our home,” Altuve said. “I have great teammates and coaches, and we all have the same goal: we want to work hard and we want to win.”
Altuve is coming off a 2017 season in which he helped the Astros win their first World Series in franchise history. He hit .346 in the regular season with an American League high 204 hits. Altuve was among the top 10 players in runs scored, on-base percentage, stolen bases, total bases, slugging percentage and doubles.
During the postseason, he led all players in postseason hits, home runs, batting average, slugging percentage and on-base/slugging percentage.
“Jose is a tremendous talent on the field and a leader for us in the clubhouse,” said Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow. “We’re very excited to announce the extension today and we’re hopeful this is another step towards bringing multiple championships to the city of Houston.”
Photos: Jose Altuve through the years
Altuve is a career Astro after signing as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela in 2006. He made his debut with the Astros in 2011 at 21 years old.
In seven seasons, Altuve has played in 982 games. He’s a career .316 hitter with 561 runs scored, 243 doubles, 84 home runs, 403 RBI and 231 steals.
This is Altuve’s second long-term contract with the Astros.
“I’m excited about what the future holds and I’m excited to be with the Astros for years to come,” Altuve said.
