rewrite this title Astros gamble that this franchise legend can fill their outfield hole

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had been mentioned as a candidate to play left field in 2025. That position change is set to happen.

Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reported that manager Joe Espada said Altuve will play the majority of his games in left. Espada further said that they do not want to shuttle Altuve between second and left, indicating that he will be an outfielder, at least for this season.

Outfield had been the weakest link for the Astros. Outfielder Kyle Tucker had been traded to the Cubs, leaving a series of question marks in his wake. Left field was wide open, with Jake Meyers and Chas McCormick atop the depth chart in center and right respectively. 

Yordan Alvarez, who spent 53 games in left in 2024, will almost exclusively be used as a designated hitter during the upcoming season.

Moving Altuve to the outfield comes with risks. He had never played in the outfield at any level as a professional until Friday. Altuve only has a total of six innings at any position aside from second base in the majors, all of which are at shortstop. Although he had been working out in left during the offseason, there is a distinct difference between shagging fly balls and a game situation.

In theory, this move will improve the Astros defense. Utility man Mauricio Dubon has saved 12 runs at second in just about a year’s worth of action during his career. Altuve, while a former Gold Glove winner, had declined defensively at second, having cost the Astros four runs at the keystone over the past three years. 

There is one major problem with this plan — can Altuve become a competent defensive outfielder? He will turn 35 this season as he learns a new position. While the Astros have several weeks left to make that determination, they are gambling that this move will work out.