Astros exercise options on Altuve, Gonzalez

Ahead of the team's World Series parade Friday, the Houston Astros exercised their 2018 team options on Jose Altuve and Marwin Gonzalez, reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Altuve is due $6 million in 2018 and has a $6.5-million club option for the 2019 season. The 27-year-old second baseman was worth 7.5 WAR this past year, and is a front-runner to win American League MVP honors.

Meanwhile, after a breakout season, Gonzalez's $5.125-million option for 2018 got picked up. The utility man will likely be counted on mostly as an outfielder going forward, and is eligible to become a free agent next winter.