Jose Altuve knows exactly what the Houston Astros need to stay competitive — and one of the biggest priorities is keeping their best players. One of those players is Jeremy Peña, and the Venezuelan star recently delivered a strong message in support of Peña, aimed directly at the team’s GM and owner.
“He’s a very valuable player for us and I’m very surprised he’s not signing to a long-term deal with the Astros. He’s a guy you want on your team for the long term. Dana Brown and Mr. Crane need to start working on it,” Altuve said about Peña’s future, which remains uncertain without a solid long-term contract.
It’s worth noting that Peña is currently playing shortstop — a position Altuve once held before shifting to the outfield. Peña is playing under a one-year contract and has already proven himself as a key piece in the Astros‘ infield.
What is Jeremy Peña’s current salary with the Astros?
By the end of the 2025 season, Peña is set to earn a total of $4.1 million, marking the largest contract of his young MLB career. Peña, who debuted with the Astros in 2022, had been earning less than $1 million per year through the 2024 season.
In comparison, Jose Altuve is currently playing under a five-year, $125 million extension. Altuve will earn $25 million this season, and it’s worth remembering that by his fifth season with the Astros (2014), he had already secured a four-year, $12.5 million deal.
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Peña is off to a strong season
Peña is filling a critical role in the Astros’ infield, stepping into a spot where Altuve excelled for many years. So far, Peña has handled 241 innings at shortstop and has shown off a strong throwing arm, recording an 80.2 strength on throws across 118 attempts, according to Baseball Savant.