With Jose Altuve the Outfielder becoming a reality, who will replace the Gold Glove winner second base for the Houston Astros? Talks of shifting Altuve from second base to left field first came about when the Astros re-engaged with longtime third baseman Alex Bregman late in free agency. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported at the time that Houston was considering sliding Isaac Paredes from third to second base and shifting Altuve to the outfield if they re-signed Bregman. But then Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, taking the Altuve to the outfield idea off the table, or so we thought.
Altuve, who has been Houston’s everyday second baseman since 2011, is now expected to become the Astros’ primary left fielder. Manager Joe Espada is planning for the 34-year-old infielder-turned-outfielder to play “a majority” of his games in left field. He also dismissed the idea of Altuve shuffling positions, saying he prefers him to play “one position for most games.” A former Gold Glove second baseman, Altuve’s defense has declined in recent years, leading the Astros to suggest a position change. While Espada still intends to give the nine-time All-Star reps at the keystone, if Altuve is in the outfield, who will be the Astros’ second baseman?
First look at Jose Altuve the left fielder
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— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 21, 2025
Who Will Replace Jose Altuve at Second Base for the Astros?
Espada has yet to name Altuve’s successor, but Gold Glove utilityman Mauricio Dubón has primarily played second base this spring. Dubón began the 2023 campaign as Houston’s starting second baseman after Altuve fractured his thumb during the World Baseball Classic. He started a career-high 66 games at the position and became a Gold Glove finalist at second base and as a utilityman. Although the 30-year-old has never played a full season at any position, he has 12 defensive runs saved and 8 outs above average in 1,154 innings at second base.
Houston also has former Gold Glove second baseman Brendan Rodgers and veteran Luis Guillorme in camp on minor league deals. After being non-tendered by the Colorado Rockies, Rodgers signed with Houston shortly after news broke about Altuve moving to left field. A Gold Glove winner in 2022, the 28-year-old leads the team with 44 innings played at second base this spring. Despite outhitting both Rodgers and Dubón through 19 at-bats, Guillorme, the former New York Met, seems destined for a bench role. The 30-year-old utility infielder is primarily a second baseman but has drawn starts at both third base and shortstop. Guillorme has made four starts at shortstop for Houston this spring, and should Dubón win the starting job, Guillorme would likely be shortstop Jeremy Peña’s primary backup.
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