Astros' Peña makes major career change

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña has a new agent: Scott Boras.

According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Peña will now partner with baseball’s most infamous — and most successful — agent. He was previously represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council.

Peña and the Astros avoided arbitration this past offseason and settled on a one-year, $4.1 million deal. He is arbitration-eligible in 2026 and 2027 before becoming a free agent in 2028.

While Boras typically vouches for his players to test free agency and wants to create the biggest bidding war possible, an extension might be best for both parties.

Peña was drafted by Houston in the third round of the 2018 Draft and is in the midst of his best campaign. The 27-year-old has a .326 batting average, an .874 OPS, a 144 OPS+, 11 home runs, 40 RBIs, 15 stolen bases on 17 attempts, and a 19:54 BB:K ratio.

He continues to play an outstanding defensive game at the six, evidenced by a +3 Defensive Run Value, and elite range and speed.

Peña is also second among all Big Leaguers in WAR at 4.5, trailing only Aaron Judge (5.6).

The Astros have undergone a bit of a mini reset with the Kyle Tucker trade and Alex Bregman signing with the Boston Red Sox. Keeping a cornerstone like Peña, particularly as he enters his prime, should be a top priority.

Houston, even with its overhaul, is still a real contender, sitting at 45-33 and five games up on the Seattle Mariners for the American League West lead. Peña has been a catalyst behind this hot start.

His price tag only increases with Boras’ involvement, but the news should not deter the Astros’ efforts.