Altuve will switch positions if Bregman re-signs: 'For Alex, I'd do' it

Jose Altuve isn't ready to see Alex Bregman leave Houston, and he's willing to give up the keystone to make it happen.

The Astros' longtime second baseman said Saturday that he's willing to shift to left field if it will help the team re-sign Bregman, his longtime infield-mate.

"For Alex, I'd do whatever," Altuve told reporters Saturday at Astros FanFest, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "Like I said, he's one of the best players in the whole league and definitely one of the best players on the team. We want him to stay, so whatever I have to do for him to stay, I'm willing to do it."

Negotiations between Bregman and the Astros reportedly resumed this week, more than a month after the team declared an intention to move on. Bregman reportedly rejected the team's six-year, $153-million offer in December.

General manager Dana Brown confirmed his interest in re-entering the Bregman sweepstakes Friday. One day later, he did try to temper expectations a bit, acknowledging that the door is "cracked" open but characterizing the potential for a reunion as a "long shot," according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.

If Bregman does end up re-signing in Houston, he'd immediately return to third base, where he spent the past nine seasons and won his first Gold Glove in 2024. However, his presence would force Isaac Paredes - Bregman's replacement at third acquired from the Cubs last month - to move to second and displace Altuve. Left field would be the 2017 AL MVP's most likely destination in this scenario, multiple sources told Rome.

One of baseball's premier second basemen for his entire career, Altuve's played only six innings at another position (shortstop) in the majors. However, his defense has been declining rapidly; the 34-year-old's minus-13 defensive runs saved last season ranked last among qualified second basemen.

"Jose will do whatever it takes to win," manager Joe Espada said, per Rome. The skipper added he's already "had conversations (with Jose) about how our lineup will look like if we can bring Alex back."

Altuve, for his part, said he believes the decision of whether to re-sign Bregman should be an easy one.

"It's not up to me, but if it was up to me, I'd pay him whatever and bring him back," he said.