MLB Offseason Roundup: Astros Extend Lifer, Future Hall of Famer Back to L.A.

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

Two at the very best in recent history at their respective positions generated the headlines on Tuesday.

We’ll start with José Altuve, who signed a five-year, $125 million extension to remain with the Houston Astros. Altuve has spent his entire 13-year career with the Astros after making his debut in 2011.

Altuve’s track record is among the best in baseball during his time in Houston. The 33-year-old, who was scheduled to hit free agency at the end of the 2024 season, crossed the 2,000 hit milestone last season. He was the league-leader in hits each year from 2014-17 with over 200 per season. In 2017, a year in which he led baseball with a .346 batting average, he won the American League MVP.

Altuve, who was a member of the infamous Astros’ team that won the World Series in 2017, also was a World Series champion in 2022.

In addition to his World Series rings, MVP award and batting titles, Altuve has been an All-Star eight times, has won six Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove.

Altuve now has a legitimate chance at spending his entire career with one organization, a feat that is becoming something rarely heard of in today’s age.

 HOFer Back to Hollywood

Speaking of players with impressive résumés sticking with one team throughout their career, Clayton Kershaw is headed back to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Kershaw is one of the best starting pitchers of the 21st century. The veteran left-hander has won an MVP, three Cy Young awards, has led the league in ERA on five occasions and has been selected to 10 All-Star teams in his 16-year career. On top of it all, he won the 2020 World Series.

Kershaw leads all active players with a .695 winning percentage (210-92 record), ERA (2.48) and ERA+ (157).

Though terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, Andy McCullough of The Athletic reports it’s a one-year deal with a player option for 2025.

It sure has been one heck of an MLB offseason for the Dodgers.

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