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Astros, Altuve Agree to 7-Year Contract

WEST PALM BEACH, FL — The Houston Astros have agreed to a seven-year contract with the reigning American League MVP and five-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve. The deal begins in 2018 and runs through the 2024 season. Additional terms of the deal were not disclosed. The announcement was made earlier today by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow at a press conference at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“Jose is a tremendous talent on the field and a leader for us in the clubhouse,” said 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.”

“My family and I have made Houston our home,” said Altuve. “I have great teammates and coaches and we all have the same goal, we want to work hard and we want to win. Last year was really fun, but it’s in the past. I’m excited about what the future holds and I’m excited to be with the Astros for years to come.”

Altuve, 27, helped lead the Astros to their first World Series Championship in franchise history in 2017. During the regular season, he posted a .346 batting average and an American League-high 204 hits. He led the Majors in WAR (8.4), while ranking among the top 10 American League players in runs (T-2nd, 112), on-base percentage (3rd, .410), stolen bases (3rd, 32), OPS (3rd, .957), total bases (5th, 323), slugging percentage (6th, .547) and doubles (T-9th, 39). He continued this success into the postseason, hitting .310 (22x71) with seven homers and a 1.021 OPS in 18 games. He led all Major League players in the postseason in hits, home runs, batting average, slugging (.634) and OPS.

In addition to earning the AL MVP Award and his fifth All-Star selection in 2017, Altuve was named a Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (along with J.J. Watt), the Sporting News Player of the Year, the Baseball America MLB Player of the Year, the 2017 AL Hank Aaron Award winner and the winner of two MLBPA Players Choice Awards for the Major League Player of the Year and the AL Most Outstanding Player. He also took home his fourth consecutive Silver Slugger award (2014-18).

Altuve is a lifelong Astro, having been signed by Houston as a 16-year-old amateur free agent out of Venezuela in September of 2006. After playing in just four minor league seasons, he debuted with Houston in 2011 at just 21 years old and has gone on to appear in 982 regular season games and 24 postseason contests in an Astros uniform. He’s a career .316 (1250x3951) hitter with 561 runs scored, 243 doubles, 23 triples, 84 home runs, 403 RBI and 231 steals. In Astros franchise history, Altuve currently ranks first in batting average, fourth in stolen bases, sixth in doubles and ninth in hits.

This marks Altuve’s second long-term contract with Houston in his young career. He previously signed a four-year contract (2014-17) with two club options (2018-19) with the Astros on July 13, 2013. The new contract will begin this season and will give the Astros an additional five years of team control, keeping Altuve in an Astros uniform through at least the 2024 season.

In his young career, Altuve has been one of the most decorated players in the Majors, accumulating dozens of records and awards. 

Accolades for Jose Altuve

  • BBWAA AL MVP Award
  • Two MLBPA Player of the Year Awards
  • Two MLBPA Most Outstanding AL Player Awards
  • Five All-Star Teams (three starts)
  • Four Silver Slugger Awards
  • Three batting titles
  • Two AL stolen base titles
  • AL Hank Aaron Award
  • Gold Glove Award
  • Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year
  • Lou Gehrig Award
  • Roberto Clemente Award nominee
  • Heart and Hustle Award nominee
  • Baseball America Player of the Year
  • Two Sporting News Player of the Year Awards
  • Three AL Player of the Month Awards
  • Athlete of the Year by the Houston Sports Awards
  • First player in MLB history to lead his league in hits for four consecutive seasons
  • Only player in MLB history with three separate 200-hit, 40-double, 30-steal seasons
  • Seven home runs in one postseason, tying a MLB record by a second baseman

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