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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Field 1 at the Houston Astros’ spring training facility presents its own set of challenges. The unpredictable winds of South Florida can intensify, momentarily interrupting the thrilling batting practice displays that attract numerous fans. Chasing down the fly balls that fall short becomes an exhilarating task, especially as the Astros embark on this intriguing new journey.

On a breezy Monday morning, Jose Altuve, the talented infielder embarking on a new chapter in his illustrious career, faced gusts of 9 mph from the northeast. Altuve diligently followed fly balls hit with a fungo bat, caught pop-ups over his shoulder, and refined his first step in the outfield. After completing his initial public practice in left field, the nine-time All-Star couldn’t help but smile.

“It comes naturally to him,” remarked manager Joe Espada. “I’m not surprised, as Jose Altuve is an exceptional athlete.”

The forthcoming six weeks will be crucial in determining the feasibility of Altuve’s potential transition. What initially seemed like a desperate attempt to bring back Alex Bregman is evolving into the Astros’ new reality after Bregman’s departure. The possibility of shifting Altuve from second base to the outfield is being seriously evaluated, a concept highlighted by the morning’s practice.

After Altuve’s session, Houston shifted focus to drills with its middle infielders. Jeremy Peña took charge at shortstop, while Mauricio Dubón fielded ground balls at second base. Altuve, meanwhile, observed from a bucket in the foul territory, taking notes on his teammates.

“Spring training will reveal much about my ability to manage left field,” Altuve commented regarding his new position. “Later, I can provide clearer feedback, but for now, my goal is to prepare thoroughly for wherever I play and ensure I’m fully ready for the upcoming season.”

Throughout Monday’s events, discussions remained consistent with the team’s stance on Altuve’s defensive future. Espada emphasized that Altuve would be exploring both left field and second base during spring training but withheld further details regarding the Astros’ strategy.

When asked how many games he might play in left field, Altuve refrained from quantifying, stating it ultimately depends on the team’s needs. He expressed no specific preference for his position, emphasizing, “I want to be in the lineup and contribute to the team’s success by hitting doubles, triples, and home runs. My focus is on doing my best, regardless of where I play.”

Altuve’s selflessness is a defining trait of his career, a rarity for someone of his caliber. In contrast, Rafael Devers’ comments about his reluctance to be a designated hitter after Bregman’s arrival in Boston highlight this distinction. Few teams can rely on a player of Altuve’s stature willingly embracing a position switch.

“His readiness to adapt to the team’s needs is invaluable,” stated first baseman Christian Walker, a new teammate of Altuve. “That’s truly commendable.”

Following the previous season, the Astros approached Altuve to discuss the possibility of him moving to the outfield. Although Altuve didn’t disclose all the reasons, he mentioned, “they believe I could excel in left field.”

“I’m trying to keep this situation from becoming a major narrative,” Altuve explained while discussing his transition for nearly 10 minutes in Houston’s clubhouse. “The focus should be on getting ready for the season and winning games.”

The full extent of Altuve’s future in left field won’t become clear until later in spring training. Houston is yet to conduct its first complete team workout, set for Tuesday, and surprisingly, Altuve hasn’t yet acquired an outfield glove—Yordan Alvarez lent him his for Monday’s practice. Afterward, Altuve humorously attributed his dropped fly ball to the unfamiliar glove.

“He’s an athlete, and people often underestimate how well he moves,” said Dubón, a versatile player with experience in both infield and outfield roles. “Among everyone, he possesses the capability to transition seamlessly from second base to the outfield. Sometimes it looks effortless, but catching grounders before darting to the outfield is challenging. Yet, I believe Jose can handle it all.”

Despite turning 35 in May, Altuve clocked an impressive sprint speed of 27.1 feet per second last season, just slightly below the league average of 27.2. Both Altuve and team officials are confident in his ability to cover significant ground while his natural agility will aid in his outfield adjustments.

Last season, Altuve struggled with one of the league’s weaker infield arms, and the added distance of left field won’t remedy that issue. However, there’s hope that the momentum generated before his throws will help compensate. Additionally, Jake Meyers, a Gold Glove finalist last season, will likely be stationed in center field most nights to provide support.

Nonetheless, this situation is far from ideal. Altuve has never played any professional innings in the outfield. Such experiments are not typical for teams with championship aspirations, a sentiment Altuve firmly supports.

“The objective remains unchanged: to win,” Altuve stated resolutely. “We are going to pursue that aim.”

This winter saw the departure of three of Altuve’s longtime teammates—two left for better contracts and one left due to the Astros’ declining interest. Altuve had urged the front office to secure Bregman, contending he intensified the organization’s success throughout his nine years with the team.

Owner Jim Crane appreciated Altuve’s input, noting that it weighed heavily on him and general manager Dana Brown. However, the team’s six-year, $156 million offer was ultimately insufficient compared to the deals Bregman received from Boston and Detroit.

“He secured a fantastic contract—$40 million on average annually, which is a rarity,” Altuve said. “We’re genuinely happy for him and need to focus on the players currently with us.”

“We offered him a competitive deal, but the nature of free agency is unpredictable. In the end, he landed an excellent deal. I’m thrilled for him; he earned it through hard work.”

As a result, Altuve now stands as the sole remaining position player from the 2017 Astros, a team that triggered Houston’s golden era. No moment was more iconic than Altuve fielding Corey Seager’s ground ball at second base, leading his team into jubilant celebration.

The eight years since have felt like a marathon. The team has faced a cheating scandal that almost derailed their success, alongside the losses of many key players around Altuve. He will continue to deliver pivotal performances, albeit possibly from a new position.

“As long as I’m in the lineup,” Altuve concluded, “I’ll be content and ready to compete.”

(Image credit: Maria Lysaker / Getty Images)

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