When you hear the name Jose Altuve, one franchise instantly comes to mind: the Houston Astros. He’s been the heart and soul of the team, a symbol of resilience and excellence, and a key pillar in their rise to prominence. Well, it’s hard to imagine Altuve wearing anything other than an Astros jersey. But what if that almost wasn’t the case? What if, back in 2013, a pivotal moment nearly derailed the path we’ve all come to know?

Because that’s exactly what happened. Behind the highlight reels and All-Star appearances lies a lesser-known story. A story where Altuve stood on the edge of a decision that could have altered everything. A turning point that, had it gone differently, might have meant no MVP chants in the Astros’ colors, no postseason heroics in orange and navy.

This is the untold story of how Jose Altuve almost didn’t remain an Astro. And how a single moment would have changed the course of his career.

“When you think about a trade, we were in Houston in ‘13 and I got a call from Jeff Luhnow,” former Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. “I was sitting at the Starbucks coffee, and he said, I got a deal for you. I said, OK. He said, I’ll trade you Altuve for Eric Hosmer.”

In a recent episode of the Diggin’ Deep podcast, Moore shared a fascinating what-if from 2013. The then-Astros GM Jeff Luhnow proposed trading second baseman Jose Altuve to the Royals in exchange for first baseman Eric Hosmer. Yes, you heard that right. Moore recounted receiving the offer while the Royals were in Houston for a series in 2013. Well, he declined, expressing reluctance to trade major-league players at the time.

Well, for starters, both Altuve and Hosmer debuted in 2011, but their careers took different trajectories. Altuve became a cornerstone for the Astros, earning nine All-Star selections, an MVP award, and contributing to two World Series titles. In contrast, Hosmer won four Gold Gloves and played a key role in the Royals’ 2015 World Series championship.

Now you can imagine what could have happened if Altuve was not there protecting the base for the Astros. The team was on the verge of missing a guy with a career 233 HRs and 826 RBIs. But this season, it looks different for Altuve.

A different scenario for Altuve this year

Altuve has appeared in 37 games this season, posting a .256 BA with 4 home runs, 14 RBIs, and a .671 OPS. If you think these numbers are good, then note that these numbers are below his career averages. He has a career batting average of .305 and an OPS of .828. Moreover, on May 10, Altuve exited a game against the  Reds due to right hamstring tightness.

What followed was missing the following day’s game but returning to the lineup shortly after, contributing with solid defense and a leadoff single in the ninth inning during a May 12 game against the Royals. Yes, the same Royals he was about to get traded to. However, Altuve’s value to the Astros is more than just his numbers. Since playing for the same team since 2011, Altuve is a perfect team man, a club can ask for. 

For the unversed, in late April, Altuve suggested moving from his usual leadoff spot to the second position in the batting order to help revitalize the team’s offense. The new rookie sensation, Jeremy Pena, took over the leadoff role, and since the change, Pena has been batting .406, providing a spark at the top of the lineup. Now that’s the vintage Altuve. 

Yes, Altuve’s offensive numbers are currently below his career standards. But his leadership and adaptability continue to play a vital role for the Astros as they navigate the season.