Altuve, Astros agree to 5-year deal for $151M

A person familiar with the negotiations says AL MVP Jose Altuve and the World Series champion Houston Astros have agreed to a contract that guarantees him an additional $151 million over five seasons from 2020-24.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the agreement had not been announced.

Altuve has been one of the biggest bargains in baseball. The 27-year-old second baseman is earning $6 million this year under the first option exercised by Houston in a deal he agreed to in 2013 that originally guaranteed $12.5 million from 2014-17. The Astros have a 2019 option at $6.5 million. He would have been eligible for free agency after that season.

TWINS, YANKS SWAP MINOR LEAGUERS

The Minnesota Twins have acquired outfielder Jake Cave from the New York Yankees for righthander Luis Gil in a swap of minor leaguers.

To make room for Cave on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated first baseman Kennys Vargas for assignment.

Vargas was originally signed by the Twins in 2009 and played parts of four seasons with Minnesota, hitting .252 with 35 home runs and 116 RBI in 236 career games.

Vargas became expendable after Minnesota signed free agent first baseman Logan Morrison.

Cave split the 2017 season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre, hitting .305 with 20 homers and 56 RBIs. He was designated for assignment Monday when the Yankees signed free agent infielder Neil Walker.

Gil was signed by the Twins in February 2015 and made 14 starts for the Dominican Summer League Twins last season.