Altuve and Bregman contracts unsettled
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Astros have made no headway in extending the contract of either Jose Altuve or Alex Bregman, but general manager Dana Brown informed Scott Boras of one obvious desire.
“These guys should retire here,” Brown said. “They should be Houston Astros for life.”
Boras represents both infielders. Each man’s contract expires after next season, and Brown has not hidden his desire to discuss new deals for both franchise cornerstones. Altuve signed a five-year, $151 million contract — the largest in franchise history — prior to the 2018 season. One spring later, Bregman signed a six-year, $100 million pact.
Neither Altuve nor Bregman were present Thursday during the first workout for pitchers and catchers at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Last October, Altuve said he “absolutely” wants to stay in Houston for his entire career. Bregman has made no such public declaration.
Thursday, Brown said there is “nothing new” on a contract extension for either player, but he reaffirmed the organization’s affinity for both players.
“We value their abilities,” Brown said. “We think Altuve has still got some gas in the tank, and of course, Bregman is still pretty good. We’re trying to sustain the winning. Some guys are going to get done sooner, and some guys will have to wait, but we’re in constant communication to try to make sure we get these players secured.”
‘No love lost’ between Tucker and team
There is “no love lost” between the Astros and outfielder Kyle Tucker following the team’s victory over its star outfielder in an arbitration hearing last week, Brown said Wednesday.
Tucker asked for a $7.5 million salary in 2023 but will earn $5 million after losing his hearing in front of a three-person arbitration panel. Brown said he spoke with Tucker’s agent, Casey Close, on Tuesday afternoon and came away from the discussion sensing “no hard feelings.”
“Casey’s been around a long time. He totally understands this,” Brown said. “I’m used to dealing with Casey through the amateur draft, so we have a good relationship. We both understand that this is what arbitration is all about. We have to remain focused. I know he has to put his client first, and I’m putting both the client and organization first, if I could put it that way, but make no mistake: I don’t think there’s any love lost between Casey and I or the organization and Casey or Tucker and the organization.” Arbitration hearings are inherently awkward affairs, with a team arguing why its player deserves a lower salary than he requested. A hearing’s contents can sometimes fracture relationships between the two sides and complicate future negotiations for an extension.
Thursday, Milwaukee pitcher and 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes told reporters that his hearing — also a loss — “definitely hurt” his relationship with the Brewers. Burnes said the team “could have been a little more respectful” in how it presented its case.
Tucker was not spotted at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on Thursday during the Astros’ first workout for pitchers and catchers and was thus unavailable for comment. Brown praised Astros assistant general manager Andrew Ball for his handling of Tucker’s arbitration hearing.
Tucker made his first All-Star team last season, won the American League Gold Glove in right field, and enters spring training as one of Houston’s most logical candidates for a long-term extension.
Thursday, Brown maintained optimism that the two sides could finish a deal but acknowledged these are “negotiations.” One set of them already failed, resulting in the arbitration hearing that — according to one participant — ruffled no feathers.
“I think they all understand it’s part of the business and nothing personal,” Brown said.
Maton recovered from right-hand injury
Reliever Phil Maton said he is fully recovered from the fractured right hand he sustained after punching his locker last October.
Maton said he expects a normal spring training and, if anything, “may be one bullpen session behind” his usual progression. Maton needed surgery to correct the fracture. The 29-year-old righthander is playing his final season before free agency.
Maton fractured his right pinkie finger after Houston’s final regular-season game, during which he gave up a single to his brother, Nick. That outing against the Phillies inflated Maton’s ERA to 3.84, and afterward, he punched a locker in frustration. At the time, Maton called his actions “selfish and shortsighted.”
Maton missed Houston’s entire World Series run but did accompany the team throughout its journey. He finished 2022 with a 1.24 WHIP and 3.84 ERA in 652⁄3 innings.
Brown hires Bove as special assistant
Brown announced the hiring of longtime scout Russ Bove as a special assistant Wednesday, adding another set of seasoned eyes to Houston’s amateur draft process.
Bove had been a special assignment scout with the Toronto Blue Jays since 2010, overlapping with Brown for eight seasons. Bove has scouted since 1984 and had stints with the Mets, Brewers and Expos.
“Russ comes with over 40 years of experience — everything ranging from a major league scout to a pro scout to a scouting director,” Brown said. “He’s worn so many hats, and we’re happy to have him as an addition. I think he’s going to lay eyes on a lot of good players, and we can put the pieces together with the scouting reports, the analytics, and our front office clearinghouse will work through all the data and all the information.”
According to Brown, Bove’s duties will center on the amateur draft and minor league player evaluation. His addition accentuates how much emphasis Brown will place on enhancing the Astros’ draft process.
Brown said he is “off to a good start” with amateur scouting director Kris Gross, who has run Houston’s drafts during each of the past three seasons. Brown himself plans to be more heavily involved, too. The general manager said he went to scout two amateur players Tuesday in Florida and afterward had productive conversations with Gross and longtime Astros scout Charlie Gonzalez.
“We’re talking about how important it is to nail this draft and to make sure we get the players right, know the makeup, know the tools, understand the data is going to be important when we’re trying to break down the board,” Brown said.
Cintrón, Montero to be late arrivals
Hitting coach Alex Cintrón and reliever Rafael Montero will be late arrivals to spring training, Brown said.
Cintrón is undergoing what Brown described as a "minor medical procedure" and is expected to join the team when full-squad workouts begin. Montero is being delayed by visa issues.