Astros’ Jose Altuve doesn’t ‘see any chances’ $200 million superstar leaves Houston.
The Houston Astros have become big spenders in recent years, but they still aren’t afraid to cut bait with their homegrown stars.
In 2021, the Astros said goodbye to longtime leadoff hitter George Springer. The next offseason, they let star shortstop Carlos Correa walk out the door. Will a third pillar of Houston’s recent dynasty be on the move in 2025?
Third baseman Alex Bregman, a two-time All-Star and a fixture of the top of the Astros’ order, is scheduled to hit free agency at the age of 30. It’s uncertain whether Houston will go all-out in hopes of re-signing him, given their ballooning payroll situation.
However, one of Bregman’s longtime running mates thinks he’s staying put.
Second baseman Jose Altuve told Chandler Rome of The Athletic that he doesn’t see Bregman signing elsewhere when he hits the market.
“I don’t see any chances of him leaving,” Altuve said. “That might be just me. I really think that, at the end of the season, our front office people, GM and ownership (are) going to get a deal done for him. I don’t think — I’m sure — that we are not only a better team with him, but we are a better organization with him. We really need to make it happen.”
Bregman may still be a crucial piece for Houston, but his production has dipped in 2024.
His .312 on-base percentage is on pace to be a new career-worst, as is his 112 OPS+. He’s heated up in the second half, though, and he still plays an above-average third base defensively.
Bregman’s market value is currently calculated to be just over $29 million per year, per Spotrac. That would put a possible extension in the neighborhood of $200-210 million assuming he signs for either six or seven years.
Whether or not the Astros bring Bregman back will have ramifications stretching beyond this offseason. Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez are up for extensions as well, and the Astros already have MLB’s third-highest payroll.
