Jose Altuve did homer in Game 2 of the ALWCS against the Chicago White Sox, his 28th career postseason homer. Only Manny Ramirez (29) has more in MLB history.
With that said, the former AL MVP isn’t nearly the player he used to be. In his age-36 season, Altuve hit just .250, far below his .300 career batting average. And for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Altuve finished with an OPS+ below 100 (which is considered league average), posting a 97 in 2026.
What’s more, he continues to be a nightmare in the field, as evidenced by his minus-17 defensive runs saved and minus-10 outs above average at second base this season. With Yordan Alvarez at DH and the experiment of Altuve in left field failing in 2025, there’s not much they can do with their franchise icon defensively.
Altuve has a resume deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame, but the final three seasons of a five-year, $125 million deal could be ugly.