On the surface, it’s the kind of conversation that the Houston Astros keep sidestepping. Beneath the surface, though, it might be time for them to make a tough call they’ve been avoiding for a while. Jose Altuve, the two-time World Series champion with three batting titles, has always been a team-first player. However, lately, his numbers have started to dip. The star slugger is on the verge of hitting a personal milestone. But now the Astros might have to make a decision that won’t align with Altuve.
In a recent podcast, Chandler Rome from the Athletic had Adam Spolane and they had an uncomfortable conversation over Jose Altuve. Well, Altuve is 35 and it’s natural if he’s starting to slow down.
Spolane acknowledged the fact and said, “When you’re 35, you’re going to start to slow down. Now, this is the guy who has defied all of that for 20 years. So, I don’t want to sit here and say he’s cooked when he’ll probably wind up going on some long, ridiculous hitting streak.” The thing is, Altuve is way too close to hitting the 3000 hits target he’s set for himself. Only 33 players from the league have met that standard. So, with Altuve chasing 3000 hits, he can go on a long hitting streak anytime.
That’s why it was a bit difficult for Spolane to say that Atluve is ‘slowing down.’ He further acknowledged that Altuve swings at two-thirds of the strikes that are thrown to him. That number is below 60% this season. And at the meatball pitches? Altuve is the guy who swings at those 75% of the time and he’s swinging at 58% of those this year.
So, it might be the time that the Astros need to bench him. Because, you know, at 35, he’s not really the player he once was. Spolane added, “The fact that he’s not like swinging at the pitches you’re supposed to swing at makes me think that he’s just like, you know, he’s not right. He might just be in his own head.” As Spolane said that, Rome agreed too. As per Rome, Atluve’s bay hasn’t been good enough and he knows that.
However, if the Astros decide to bench him, Altuve’s personal milestone of hitting 3000 will be hindered. For the same, Rome put things into perspective. He said, “At his extension press conference last winter, Scott Boras made it a point to say we structured this contract so that he could give 3,000 hits.”
Boras, Altuve’s agent, made things clear on his behalf back then. This milestone is incredibly significant for him. “He’s a team-first guy. He wants to win the World Series. He wants to win pennants. Like, that is what I think he prioritizes. But anytime he says he’s not thinking about 3,000 hits or 3,000 hits is too far away for him to think about, he’s lying. This is something that he wants,” Rome further added.
Now, If the Astros make Altuve sit out, he won’t be able to hit to reach his target. And he might not take it positively. After all, he is super close to joining the elite group of 33 others who have achieved 3000 hits.
We will have to see for ourselves if the Astros decide to overlook his personal milestone over the team’s strategies.
Astros’ lineup shakeup: Jose Altuve is batting third now
With ongoing concerns about Altuve and his declining stage, the Astros have made a move that seems confusing. Altuve was seen in the third spot in the Astros’ lineup. It’s never been the case since 2020 and it unfolded when the team went up against the Tampa Bay Rays.
When it comes to Altuve’s current set of numbers, he holds a slash line of .176/.255/.259 over his last 22 games. It comes with extra base hits and it dropped his OPS to .641. His batting average sits at .303 across his first 22 outings.
Manager Joe Espada himself acknowledged the lineup shake-up before the Rays-Astros game. He said, “It’s more just a different look.” When it came to explaining ‘why,’ he emphasized that he wanted to see a spark to know if Altuve could go a little more.
In April, Altuve had willingly moved to the second spot and as he was there, Jeremy Peña had shifted to the leadoff spot and Isaac Paredes had moved second. Let’s keep in mind that Altuve has been leading off since the first 26 games.
Well, the speculations run deep if the Astros will bench Altuve soon or not, but they have already started making lineup changes.
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