WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – As a fairly young team, the Houston Astros launched the pursuit of their first World Series title last year with a middling payroll, ranked 16th in the majors.
Success isn’t cheap, so that’s changing dramatically.
Houston’s payroll is set to climb to fifth this season at about $168 million, and it likely will continue increasing if the club expects to retain its core players.
Monday’s announcement of a five-year, $151 million extension for second baseman Jose Altuve, the reigning American League MVP, figures to mark just the first of several big-money commitments for the club.
Former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel can become a free agent after the upcoming season, and so can do-everything utilityman Marwin Gonzalez. Star shortstop Carlos Correa, whom the club would love to lock up long-term, will be eligible for arbitration next year for the first time after having his contract renewed at $1 million. Third baseman Alex Bregman may soon become an extension candidate as well.
“Jim is committed to keeping the best team on the field for as long as possible, giving us a chance to win multiple championships,’’ general manager Jeff Luhnow said, referring to owner Jim Crane. “Part of that is developing our own players and keeping our own players and bringing in the right kinds of players. We’ve done that. We’ll see what the future holds, but we certainly have the desire and intention to keep our core together as long as possible.’’
Altuve, who has led the American League in hits each of the last four seasons and has won three batting crowns, was a logical candidate for a long-term deal. Not only had he been underpaid relative to his production, but Altuve is immensely popular in Houston, where he lives and wanted to stay.
If the average value of Altuve’s extension seems startlingly high for a player who will serve most of the contract in his 30s – he turns 28 on May 6 – it makes more sense when regarded as a seven-year contract, which is what the team is calling it.
Altuve’s $6 million salary this coming season ranks 11th on the team, and the Astros have a $6.5 million option for 2019. This was a way of rewarding Altuve, keeping him in Houston and bringing his salary closer to his market value, with an average of $23.35 million over the seven years.
The sides reached agreement on the contract – which includes a no-trade clause and bonuses for awards – on Wednesday, then finalized the language over the weekend.
“He was pretty elated,’’ agent Scott Boras said of Altuve’s reaction. “This was a goal of his, because he was able to stay in Houston, he got a value he was proud of. This contract represents a five-year, over $30 million commitment, which only one other (position) player has in all of baseball at that (average), his countryman Miguel Cabrera. It gave him respect.’’
So did the presence of Altuve’s teammates at an on-field news conference to announce the deal. Accompanied by his wife, daughter and brother, Altuve was touched by the show of support from his fellow players.
“The most important thing for me right now is those guys out there being here,’’ he said. “They don’t have to be here. They’re here because they wanted to do something nice. You guys have made my day.’’
During their years revamping the roster from 2012-2014, the Astros sank to the bottom of the salary rankings, with a couple of last-place finishes. It’s not lost on the players that, as reigning world champions, they’re spreading the wealth around.
Altuve’s contract is the largest in franchise history.
“Obviously he just got a huge payday and we all want to get there at some point,’’ Correa said. “We’re working hard every day so we can get a big payday like him.’’
