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Altuve's extension is latest piece in possible Astros' dynasty

Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

In case winning the first World Series in franchise history wasn't enough to announce the Houston Astros' arrival as baseball's latest powerhouse, Friday's five-year, $151-million extension of cornerstone second baseman Jose Altuve should do the trick.

The Astros suffered through six consecutive losing seasons before a surprising playoff appearance in 2015. While six bad seasons in a row is hardly a record - the Detroit Tigers waded through 12 losing seasons between 1994-2005 and the Kansas City Royals missed the postseason for 28 straight seasons after winning the 1985 World Series - but the Astros became an argument for relegation. At their nadir, they went 162-324 from 2011-2013. The Astros lost 100 games in three straight seasons while only two other teams (Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs) did so once apiece.

Altuve made his debut during those down years, and was one of the lone bright spots on a miserable team, and it's part of what makes him seem older than he is. He's the resident veteran, and the only holdover from that 2011 team (Dallas Keuchel joined the fray a year later).

The landscape in Houston is much different today, now that the Astros have committed to the 27-year-old Altuve through 2024, his age-34 season. The team isn't poised to see much turnover through the next several seasons (though some significant pieces are expected to depart). What follows could very easily become baseball's first real dynasty since the New York Yankees ran roughshod through all comers in the late 1990s.

Committing to a rebuild is no guarantee that sustained success is around the corner - as several teams trying to mimic the Astros' method are soon to discover - but Houston pounced when the time was right and could easily become a team of legend, and here's why:

The kids, and the core, are alright

Altuve is locked up, but it's not like the Astros are staring a mass exodus in the face. No team scored more runs in 2017 (896), and only the Yankees hit more long balls (241 to 238). The frightening aspect is it's not going to get easier for opposing teams any time soon, and Fangraphs projects the team to win 101 games in 2018, most in baseball.

Player Age Hits Free Agency
Jose Altuve 27 2025
Carlos Correa 23 2022
George Springer 28 2021
Alex Bregman 23 2023
Josh Reddick 31 2021
Yuli Gurriel 33 2023
Jake Marisnick 26 2021

Correa and Bregman haven't hit their arbitration years, while Reddick and Gurriel are locked up as veteran presences. Injuries and production declines can be expected, but that's is a group of seven players the Astros don't have to worry about hitting the open market for at least three more seasons championship runs.

Further extensions to Reddick and Gurriel are unlikely, but that doesn't mean they can't pursue talks with the youngsters. Last April, Correa's agent, Greg Genske, suggested his client wouldn't do an early extension. The shortstop later refuted this, saying he'd consider it if "the price is right."

If free agency in subsequent years mirrors this most recent abysmal offseason, Correa could be inclined to stay with what he knows. Though, if Bryce Harper and Manny Machado net the big contracts they're expected to after 2018, he could do the same, and he'll only be 27.

The one player who causes problems is Marwin Gonzalez. The 29-year-old becomes a free agent after 2018 and has been an invaluable piece. He offers extreme versatility and is probably looking for a considerable raise. Will that be enough to make him a priority over the likes of Correa, Springer, or Bregman? Can they keep them all?

Another area of concern will be behind the plate, as both Evan Gattis and Brian McCann become free agents after 2018.

Starting pitching depth ... for now

Name Age Hits Free Agency
Justin Verlander 35 2020
Gerrit Cole 27 2020
Dallas Keuchel 30 2019
Lance McCullers 24 2022
Charlie Morton 34 2019
Brad Peacock 30 2021
Collin McHugh 30 2020

The 2018 pitching staff is ridiculous. After that, things get dodgy. Let's not forget that Verlander has had moments of appearing human despite how untouchable he was after being acquired at the end of August (5-0, 1.06 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 34 innings). He won't be bulletproof through the end of this contract even if he remains good to very good.

The starting pitching window is much narrower than the lineup's, and what happens if McCullers never gets over his tendency to get injured? He's the only ultra-youthful member of this corps, which is starkly opposite the offense. If none of these pitchers sign extensions, McCullers is the de facto ace in two seasons.

While the batters hitting free agency in 2019 are pretty impressive, arms will be at a premium. Clayton Kershaw and David Price could opt out of their contracts, but if they don't it's Keuchel, and maybe Drew Pomeranz, leading the class.

What may be more their style is pursuing trades in the fashion of Cole. The Astros sent decent pieces to Pittsburgh without depleting their prospect capital sitting atop the system, a blueprint they could pursue with other teams drifting away from contention.

The prospect future remains bright

While most of the Astros' highly touted prospects have reached the big leagues or have been dangled in the odd trade, they haven't entirely emptied the cupboard. They still feature three players in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 prospects, with two - Forrest Whitley and Kyle Tucker - in the top 20.

Whitley's ascent will be stalled after being suspended for 50 games for testing positive for a banned substance. If he lives up to his billing upon his return, however, he'll help stop the bleeding once the rest of the rotation moves on.

Tucker has exploded this spring, hitting .405/.425/.811 with four home runs, 15 RBIs, and 10 runs scored in 16 games entering Saturday. He's not expected to break camp, but the slugging outfielder is only 21, and figures to be another piece integral to the Astros' future success.

Add in right-hander J.B. Bukauskas and lefty Cionel Perez, among others, and the pitching dilemma may not be as tricky to navigate as it appears looming in the distance.

The rebuild is over, now it's maintenance time. They're in a unique position, because other teams are in the process of trying to replicate what they did, which may leave fewer teams vying for the top spot. It won't be a walk, but becoming the first back-to-back champs since the 1999-00 Yankees wouldn't be surprising in the least.

Even in the absolute worst-case scenario, the Astros are set to dominate the AL West for the next two seasons. After 2019, it gets a little sketchier, but the Altuve extension seems like a sign of things to come. The Astros are looking to the future even after the biggest season in franchise history.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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