Houston Astros star second baseman José Altuve has reportedly rejected a $40 million contract extension, signaling that the seven-time All-Star believes he deserves more as one of baseball’s elite players. The offer was intended to secure the 34-year-old’s services for an additional three years, but sources close to the negotiations revealed that Altuve declined, stating, “I know my worth.”
Altuve, a former MVP and a cornerstone of the Astros’ success over the past decade, has been a key figure in the team’s sustained dominance. After helping lead Houston to two World Series championships (2017, 2022) and several deep playoff runs, the veteran’s decision to turn down the lucrative deal has left fans and analysts speculating about the future of one of the team’s most beloved figures.
Many expected Altuve to be eager to extend his contract with the Astros, the team that signed him as a teenager and watched him grow into one of the best players in baseball. However, the rejection suggests that Altuve may be seeking a higher value deal, one more reflective of his status as one of the game’s top infielders, or perhaps a longer-term commitment.
Altuve’s statement of “knowing his worth” speaks to his confidence in his abilities and his belief that he remains one of the premier players in Major League Baseball, despite being in the latter stages of his career. As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether the Astros will improve their offer or risk letting their longtime leader test free agency.
For now, Astros fans are left wondering whether this signals a brewing contract battle or simply a negotiating tactic from a player who knows his value.
