The World Series Champion Houston Astros locked up a pivotal piece of their future on Friday by reportedly inking Jose Altuve to a five-year, $151-million extension.
The second baseman finished with 27 of 30 first-place votes for the American league MVP last season to go along with his World Series ring. He's arguably one of the best players in baseball entering his eighth season in the big’s.
With an average annual value of $30 million per season, Altuve joined Zack Greinke, David Price, Miguel Cabrera, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer as the only players in baseball to make $30 million or more per season. Standing at just 5’6’’, one could easily make a joke about how is contract is much bigger than his height.
Fellow Houston athlete and Altuve’s good friend J.J. Watt took to Twitter to congratulate the 27-year-old with a pretty great tweet.
The internet congratulated the undersized Altuve on the big pay day, and his perserverance over his career.
Seattle Mariners two-bagger Robinson Cano received the biggest contract in MLB history amongst second baseman when the M’s inked him to a 10-year, $240 million deal. Altuve has two years left in his current contract. The new contract will keep him an Astros through the 2024 season.
Altuve became the first play in MLB history to lead the American League in hits four straight seasons. His 84 career home runs are the second most by a player that is 5-foot-6 or shorter.
