The Houston Astros just ended June in style, and they didn’t just win games; they made a statement. With a 2-0 series win over the NL-leading Cubs, they locked in the league’s best June record and tightened their grip on the AL West. Right now, no team looks hotter, and no player more vital than their shortstop, Jeremy Peña. While rumors swirl about his future after he switched his agents, one thing’s clear: if the Astros want to keep the magic alive, locking down Peña should be their top priority.

The World Series MVP has been stellar this season, making it hard to look away. Even though he missed the last two games due to soreness in the ribs, with a 4.6 WAR, Peña ranks just behind Aaron Judge. Not only that, he is putting up a career-best stat sheet, with a .322 batting average, which is 4th best in the league, a .378 OBP, a .489 slugging percentage, and an .867 OPS. There’s no doubt about it. Peña has emerged as the driving force behind the Astros’ season. And reporter Dani Wexelman is fully on board with that belief.

“Maybe it’s more impressive now, Jimmy, than it has been before. Because there are so many new faces, and Jeremy Peña, who has missed the last two games. He was hit in the ribs by a pitch from Cade Horton on Friday. They think he’s fine, it’s just sore, Joe Espada said. But this is a guy who’s been the best Astro all season. Jeremy Peña is a huge reason this team is fueled and at the top of their division, and they don’t look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon. And it’s been fun to watch,” Wexelman said in conversation with MLB Network Radio after the win against the Cubs.

She is not wrong at all. If they are currently leading the division by a stellar 6.5 games over the Mariners, it wouldn’t have been easy without Peña’s power bat. So, the most logical move now is to lock him in with a long-term deal. However, by bringing Scott Boras, baseball’s most formidable agent, into the equation, Peña has injected a significant risk factor into any extension talks. But nothing to worry about—Dana Brown might have it all under control.

The Astros GM had reportedly called Boras right after the agent switch. “Brown said he told Boras that we’re still interested in signing Jeremy long-term and we’ll be in touch,” Chandler posted on X. For Astros fans, it’s a definite relief to see Brown clearly stating where he stands. They would not want to witness another player leave like Alex Bregman. Still, the uncertainty surrounding Peña’s future with the team hasn’t gone away, and understandably so. After all, we’re talking about the same agent who oversaw Bregman’s exit.

Astros losing confidence in Peña deal

The Astros are well aware of what it means to have Boras steering Peña’s future. Most of the players he deals with rarely opt to sign extensions. He likes to test out their value in the free market. And even if an extension happens, it’s bound to come with a hefty price tag. So, there’s no denying it. Boras’ arrival complicates things for Houston’s front office, which was already deep in extension talks with Peña.

“The Houston Astros were optimistic they were moving close to signing shortstop Jeremy Peña to a five-year, $100 million contract extension a few weeks ago,” wrote USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “The optimism was abruptly halted when he left the Beverly Hills Sports Council for Scott Boras, who will be seeking a much more lucrative deal to keep him from hitting free agency after the 2027 season,” he added. It is true—after Peña switched agents, the team has put a hold on the extension discussion.

Not only Bob, but even ex-Marlins president David Samson issued a warning to the Astros as soon as Peña hired Boras. So, it is clear: the opportunity to sign Peña with a discount is no longer on the table. That is the signal the Gold Glove player sent to Houston by bringing Boras in as his agent. Can the Astros work something out? There is still time for them to think and make the move. But make the move, they must.