José Altuve and the Houston Astros agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract that covers 2025-29.
Houston announced a new multiyear deal for Altuve on Tuesday without disclosing financial details.
Altuve has a $26 million salary for 2024 in the final season of a $163.5 million, seven-year deal. The eight-time All-Star second baseman would have been eligible for free agency after this year’s World Series.
His new agreement includes a $15 million signing bonus, payable upon the contract’s approval by Major League Baseball, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those details were not announced.
Altuve will have salaries of $30 million annually from 2025-27 and $10 million apiece in 2028 and ’29.
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A three-time batting champion and the 2017 AL MVP, the 33-year-old Altuve hit .311 with 15 homers, 51 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 90 games last year. He broke his left thumb when hit by a pitch from Daniel Bard while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic and didn’t make his season debut until May 19.
Altuve helped the Astros win their first two World Series titles in 2017 and ’22. He was voted the AP Male Athlete of the Year in 2017.
Altuve became the first second baseman guaranteed to top $300 million in career earnings.
The Kansas City Royals and shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. agreed Monday to the longest contract in franchise history, an 11-year pact that includes three years of team options that could keep the rising star with the ballclub through the 2037 season.
Witt's big deal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals have officially signed 23-year-old shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to his 11-year deal worth more than $288.7 million guaranteed. It is easily the longest and richest in club history.
The deal was agreed to on Monday and includes a three-year team option that would drive the value to more than $377 million and keep Witt with the Royals through the 2037 season.
The contract coupled with lavish spending in free agency marks a seismic shift for the frugal, small-market franchise.
The Royals are trying to prove to weary fans that they want to win, while also showing a commitment to the team as voters in Jackson County, Missouri, prepare to vote on a sales tax measure that would help to fund a new downtown stadium.
BRIEFLY
ARBITRATION: Players swept five salary arbitration decisions against major league teams on Tuesday when Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays and pitcher Jacob Webb won their cases, along with Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, Houston Astros utilityman Mauricio Dubón and New York Mets reliever Phil Bickford. The unusual sweep gave players a 5-2 advantage with 11 cases still pending.
LAWSUIT: A teachers’ union political group has filed a second legal effort to block taxpayer funds from going to a baseball stadium to relocate the Oakland Athletics to the Las Vegas Strip. The union is also appealing to the state Supreme Court to allow a referendum on the ballot for voters to decide the stadium tax money question.
METS: Jake Diekman finalized a $4 million, one-year contract with New York that includes a club option. The Mets hold a $4 million option for 2025 that becomes guaranteed if the left-handed reliever pitches in at least 58 games this year. The 37-year-old Diekman went 0-2 with a 3.34 ERA in 63 relief appearances for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay last season.
MARINERS: Seattle claimed right-hander Collin Snider off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona had claimed the 28-year-old off waivers from Kansas City on Dec. 18. Snider had a 4.87 ERA and one save in 20 appearances with the Royals last season.
MARLINS: Miami acquired infielder Jonah Bride from Oakland for cash after the Athletics designated him for assignment last week. The 28-year-old has two years of experience in the majors, with a career batting average of .192 in 98 big league games.
