The Houston Astros and José Altuve reached an agreement on a $125 million, five-year contract that will run from 2025 to 29.
On Tuesday, Houston revealed a new multiyear contract for Altuve; no financial information was provided.
In the last season of a $163.5 million, seven-year contract, Altuve will make $26 million in 2024. Following this year’s World Series, the eight-time All-Star second baseman would have been qualified for free agency.
His new contract has a $15 million signing bonus, which is due when Major League Baseball approves it, an individual with knowledge of the arrangements told The Associated Press. Because such specifics were kept under wraps, the speaker only agreed to remain anonymous.
From 2025 to 2027, Altuve will receive $30 million in salary; in 2028 and 2029, he will receive $10 million each.
The 33-year-old Altuve, the 2017 AL MVP and three-time batting champion, hit.311 in 90 games with 15 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases. It wasn’t until May 19 that he made his season debut after being hit by a pitch from Daniel Bard while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, breaking his left thumb.
In 2017 and 2022, Altuve contributed to the Astros’ first two World Series victories. In 2017, he was chosen as the AP Male Athlete of the Year.
As a second baseman, Altuve became the first to be certain of earning more than $300 million in his career.
Bobby Witt Jr., a 23-year-old shortstop, has officially signed a contract with the Royals worth over $288.7 million guaranteed. This is by far the longest and richest deal in club history. The three-year team option included in the deal would raise its value to over $377 million and keep Witt with the Royals through the 2037 season. The contract, along with lavish spending in free agency, represents a significant change for the frugal, small-market franchise. The Royals are attempting to convince weary fans that they want to win while also demonstrating their commitment to the team as Jackson County, Missouri voters get ready to cast their ballots on a sales tax measure that would help fund a new downtown
LAWSUIT: A political organization affiliated with teachers’ unions has launched a second legal challenge to stop government money from being used to build a baseball stadium in order to move the Oakland Athletics to the Las Vegas Strip. Additionally, the union is pleading with the state Supreme Court to permit a referendum to be placed on the ballot so that the public can decide on the stadium tax funding issue.
METS: New York and Jake Diekman have agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract that includes a club option. If the left-handed reliever plays in at least 58 games this season, the Mets’ $4 million option for 2025 becomes guaranteed. In his 63 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay last season, the 37-year-old Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA.
MARINERS: Seattle grabbed Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Collin Snider off waivers. On December 18, Arizona claimed the 28-year-old off waivers from Kansas City. Snider made 20 appearances with the Royals last season, recording a 4.87 ERA and one save.
MARLINS: After the Athletics designated infielder Jonah Bride for assignment last week, Miami purchased him for cash from Oakland. Having played in 98 big league games, the 28-year-old has a career batting average of.192. He has two years of major league experience.
