It’s a strange world in West Palm Beach for the Houston Astros this month. Kyle Tucker is spending his spring with the Chicago Cubs. Alex Bregman is smitten as a new member of the Boston Red Sox. And with two lineup stalwarts already out the door, Jose Altuve is now moving from his usual perch at second base to a new home in left field.
Altuve is perhaps the greatest player in Astros history, a likely Hall of Famer with as decorated a clutch resume as any active player. He’d be forgiven for venting any frustration at his team’s new roster construction or his new defensive assignment. Neither issue has reared its head thus far. Knowing the affable Altuve, it’s unlikely any concern is raised at all.
“He’s like a kid in a candy store right now,” Astros first base coach Dave Clark told The Athletic’s Chandler Rome.
“This is a challenge for him and he’s going to go out and give it the best effort he possibly can.
“Sometimes we just have to slow him down a little bit because he wants to do too much too soon.”
Not sold on Altuve’s current contentment? Don’t take Clark’s word for it. Watch Altuve instead.
Houston’s second baseman elicited chuckles last week when he walked off the diamond, noting, “the outfielders are coming.” He further confirmed his position change on Wednesday. Altuve handed his regular infield glove to a lucky fan before Houston’s Spring Training tilt against the Washington Nationals.
The souvenir came with additional meaning. Altuve told Space City Home Network’s Julia Morales he is now “officially” an outfielder after handing off his glove, effectively ending a 14-year stint as the starting second baseman in the Bayou City.
Houston’s winter machinations created a Frankenstein’s monster roster. That monster can still mash at the plate, with Altuve and Yordan Alvarez now flanked by new corner infielders and power bats Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes.
Altuve said this spring he will “do everything to win” in Houston’s new era, stressing that the Astros still sport World Series aspirations. His positional move confirms just that, creating positional flexibility for a roster with a still-uncertain lineup before Opening Day.
