Houston Astros: Jose Altuve Brings Scott Boras Back
By Ron Juckett
Jose Altuve, the Houston Astros superstar, brings Scott Boras back as his agent in order to make Altuve’s salary super.
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve rehired super-agent Scott Boras, the player announced Friday. Before their game against the Oakland Athletics, he told reporters why:
"“I think that’s the best decision I can make. I think he’s the right guy for me right now. That’s what I feel.”"
A client of Boras when he started with the Astros, he switched to Octagon in 2013. With them, he signed his current four-year deal worth $12.5 million total.
Considered one of the best players in the game, Altuve’s salary in 2016 is $3.5 million. He leads the American League in batting average at .347 and hits with 119, while swiping a league-best 23 bags. Over his five full seasons in Houston, he has two stolen base crowns, stealing 56 in 2014, won the batting title in 2014 and led the AL in hits twice. Oh, and he is learning to take pitches now. Already in July, he has matched his career-best walk total with 40. In 2012, he drew that many in 147 games. He has played 87 this year.
If Altuve does not sign a contract extension before the end of next year, Houston has two team options. Their 2018 option would pay him $6 million while their 2019 clause goes for $6.5 million.
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As the stars of the game crack the $30 million-per-season line, his deal hearkens back to the early 1990s in money. Kirby Puckett made $3.17 million in 1991 driving the Minnesota Twins to their second World Series title in four years. That season he hit .319, was an All-Star, won his fifth Gold Glove and finished seventh in the MVP voting. Last year for $2.5 million, Altuve matched the All-Star and Gold Glove, finished tenth in the MVP and added a Silver Slugger.
The man is underpaid. Now, he goes back to an agent who will drive his next deal in line with his peers.
Small payroll teams like Houston—carrying a 2016 total salary of $94.5 million—shudder in fear of Boras’ phone calls. One of the most prepared agents in all sports, he will find the highest price he can for his players. Sometimes, as with Stephen Drew a couple years ago, Boras will demand a dollar amount teams will balk at. If you look at what he did this spring with Stephen Strasburg, however, Boras negotiated a fair deal for the pitcher and the Washington Nationals.
Altuve has the 11th highest salary on the Astros this year. Reliever Pat Neshek makes $6.5 million. Colby Rasmus, hitting .245 with 91 strikeouts, rakes in $15.8 million this year. One can see why Altuve may not be thrilled with his salary. He is out-homering Rasmus 14 to 11.
Hiring Boras does not mean Altuve is leaving town the moment he hits free agency. As with Strasburg and retired Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, if the player expresses a desire to stay with their team, Boras will make it happen. There is no way Houston does not exercise their options if needed, so Altuve will not hit the open market before 2020.
What will happen now is a push for a rather hefty extension. If he stays in Houston, his deal after next year will be more in the $20-25 million range rather than a bench player. The Astros know this.
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Although Houston has the leverage, they face pressure from all sides now to keep their best player happy for his prime.