Altuve’s contract provides ‘stability’
American League MVP Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros have finalized a $163.5 million, seven-year contract that guarantees an additional $151 million over five seasons.
The 27--year-old second baseman had been among baseball’s best bargains. He agreed in 2013 to a deal that originally guaranteed $12.5 million from 2014-17 and included club options for 2018 at $6 million and 2019 at $6.5 million.
His new deal, announced Monday, keeps those salaries and adds a $21 million signing bonus, of which $10 million is payable each July in 2018 and 2019. He gets annual salaries of $26 million from 2020-24.
Altuve hit .346 last season to win his second straight AL batting title and third in four seasons. He had 24 homers, 82 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.
“There’s some stability that comes with writing Jose’s name in the lineup every single day,” manager A.J. Hinch said, “and to think that he’s going to be the franchise player for years to come is good for him.”
DODGERS’ TURNER BREAKS HAND >> Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner has a broken left wrist after being hit by a pitch from A’s right-hander Kendall Graveman in the first inning Monday night.
The 33-year-old Turner hit .322 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs last season. GREINKE SLOWED BY INJURY >> Zack Greinke won’t be the opening day starter for the Arizona Diamondbacks because of groin tightness.
Manager Torey Lovullo said he’s not ready to name the starter for the March 29 opener against Colorado. NATIONALS SIGN HELLICKSON >> The Washington Nationals signed eight-year veteran Jeremy Hellickson to a minor league contract. He will get a $2 million, one-year deal if added to the 40-man roster. RANGERS CLAIM EX-GIANT >> The Texas Rangers claimed first baseman Tommy Joseph off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.
He was traded from the Giants to the Phillies in July 2012 as part of a package for outfielder Hunter Pence. DL FOR ELLSBURY >> New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury will start the regular season on the disabled list because of a lingering oblique injury.
Media
CONTRACT DISCREPANCY ANGERS NAVRATILOVA >> Martina Navratilova said she is “extremely angry” after learning that John McEnroe gets paid at least 10 times more than her for their BBC broadcasting roles at Wimbledon.
In a published list of the BBC’s highest-paid workers it was revealed that McEnroe earned between $210,000 and $280,000 for working at Wimbledon. Navratilova said she gets paid $21,000.
The BBC responded by saying that Navratilova appears on fewer broadcasts and is on a different type of contract than McEnroe.