Jose Altuve willing to move to left field

HOUSTON — A reunion with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman would be met with overwhelming approval in the Astros’ clubhouse. It would also give Houston an abundance of infielders and force the Astros to get creative on defensive positioning.

So much so that the team has discussed moving 5-foot-6 second baseman Jose Altuve to … left field.

In a move that would be reminiscent of when Hall of Fame second baseman Craig Biggio played two years in the outfield to accommodate Jeff Kent, switching Altuve to left field at 34 years old would be as stunning as it would be unconventional. And Altuve appears to be on board with it.

“We haven’t talked about it, but for Alex I’d do whatever,” Altuve said Saturday. “Like I said, he’s one of the best players in the whole league, but definitely one of the best players on this team. We want him to stay, and whatever I have to do for him to stay I’m willing to do it.”

The Astros currently have Christian Walker (signed to a three-year deal in December) at first base, Altuve at second, Jeremy Peña at shortstop and Isaac Paredes at third base. Paredes, who was one of three players Houston acquired in the December deal that sent All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs, could play second base if Altuve switches to the outfield.

“Ultimately, if you get Bregman back, he would play third base,” Brown said. “Then you would kind of work through ‘OK, what should we do to adjust and make that happen?’ It’s a long shot, but it’s conversations you have.”

Astros manager Joe Espada said Altuve is the ultimate team player.

“I respect his willingness to do whatever it takes,” he said. “We had conversations about what our lineup would be like if we bring Alex back, and I’m confident we could get it done if he chooses to come back to the Astros.”

Altuve has never played the outfield, but there’s belief in the organization that he’s athletic enough to cover ground in left field, especially at Daikin Park, where left field is 315 feet down the line. In addition to losing Tucker in a trade to the Cubs, the Astros want to drastically limit designated hitter Yordan Alvarez’s time in left field.

“He’s so athletic, and he can do some things on the baseball field that a lot of people can’t do,” Espada said of Altuve. “If we get there, we’ll have that conversation with him. He wants to do whatever it takes to win. It’s important to us. I think he’s a cornerstone on this team. He’s the heart of the organization. He understands that, but when we get to that point, we’ll have that conversation with him.”

Added Altuve: “We have a better chance to win a championship with [Bregman]. I’m willing to do whatever for him to stay.”