3 weeks agoHouston Astros second baseman
Jose Altuve will play "most of his games" in left field in 2025, manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday. The skipper left the door open for things to change due to injuries and good performances in the minor leagues, but Espada made it clear that Altuve will open the year as the team's primary left fielder. While nothing had really been official until now, this was the expectation all along for the 34-year-old veteran after he has spent all his time playing left field in spring training. As a result,
Mauricio Dubon figures to see most of the starts at second base for Houston to begin the season. While Father Time will eventually catch up to Altuve, the nine-time All-Star, former MVP, seven-time Silver Slugger winner, three-time batting champ and two-time World Series champ deserves the benefit of the doubt as a high-end fantasy second baseman that is adding value with outfield eligibility.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
4 weeks agoThe Houston Astros have been pleased with how second baseman
Jose Altuve has looked while playing the outfield in spring training. "[He's done] enough for me to feel good about playing left field," manager Joe Espada said. Even though the Astros didn't re-sign
Alex Bregman in the offseason, the Astros are going forward with their plan to move the 34-year-old Venezuelan second baseman to left field on a full-time basis in 2025. The early returns defensively have been positive for Altuve, and the eventual addition of outfield eligibility in fantasy will make him an even more attractive fantasy option this year despite the fact that he isn't getting any younger. Altuve is a top-three fantasy second baseman as a former MVP, nine-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger winner and three-time batting champion. He dealt with injuries in 2023 but bounced back last year to post a 20-20 season while hitting .295.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
1 month agoThe plan is for Houston Astros second baseman
Jose Altuve to spend most of his time this year in left field, according to manager Joe Espada. "Right now the plan is for him to play the majority of his games in left field, and the days that he plays second base opens the door for
Yordan Alvarez maybe getting a start in left field, someone getting a DH day. So this move allows us to be creative and do stuff like that," Espada said. The skipper also said moving Altuve "back and forth is something that I am going to avoid." The 34-year-old veteran is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 4 fantasy second baseman, but he's also going to add outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues in 2025, making him even more valuable. Although the former MVP and nine-time All-Star was fortunate to hit .295 in 153 games last year, he still named 20 homers and 22 stolen bases.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
1 month agoHouston Astros second baseman
Jose Altuve is set to make his spring training debut in left field on Friday when the team takes on the St. Louis Cardinals in a Grapefruit League game. Altuve has been working regularly in left field in camp and is primed to make the move to the outfield on a pretty regular basis in 2025 despite the fact that he's never played there as a professional. The move will allow outfielder
Yordan Alvarez to become Houston's primary designated hitter in an effort to preserve his health after he dealt with a knee injury late last year. With Altuve moving to left, playing time at the keystone will be opened up for
Mauricio Dubon. Altuve will turn 35 in May, but the former MVP still managed to hit .295 with 20 home runs, 65 RBI and 22 steals in 153 games in 2204. Gaining outfield eligibility this year will make him slightly more attractive in upcoming fantasy drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
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