Ex-Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has confirmed a shocking story that’s leaving baseball fans stunned: Jose Altuve was nearly traded early in his career. The surprising revelation came to light after former Royals GM Dayton Moore shared details of the almost-deal during a recent podcast. Luhnow’s confirmation gives new credibility to what might have been one of the most significant near-trades in Major League Baseball history.
According to both executives, the Houston Astros were seriously considering trading Altuve—long before he became a franchise icon and MVP. The deal reportedly involved Kansas City and was only called off at the last minute.
This jaw-dropping revelation has left baseball insiders and fans buzzing. Could one of the most successful players in Astros history really have been on the verge of wearing another team’s uniform?
Here’s everything we know about the Jose Altuve near-trade, the names involved, and how close it came to happening.
It all started when Dayton Moore, who served as GM of the Kansas City Royals from 2006 to 2021, spoke on a baseball podcast discussing major trade deals that almost came to life. During the conversation, he casually mentioned a proposed deal that would have sent a young Jose Altuve to the Royals.
At the time, Altuve was still an unproven talent—short in stature and largely under the radar. But Moore said the Royals’ scouts were interested in Altuve’s upside and wanted to acquire him early. Talks progressed, and the deal seemed close—until the Astros suddenly backed away.
The baseball world initially took Moore’s comments with curiosity. But the surprise came when Jeff Luhnow, the Astros’ former GM, publicly confirmed that the deal was very real and almost happened.
Speaking to a sports outlet shortly after Moore’s revelation, Luhnow confirmed the shocking trade nearly occurred. He didn’t reveal every detail, but acknowledged that the Astros had internal discussions about moving Altuve during his early days in the minor leagues.
According to Luhnow, the Astros were in the middle of rebuilding at the time. They were considering multiple ways to gather more talent and adjust their roster. Altuve, who was not yet a household name, was viewed as a movable piece.
“The organization was unsure about how his profile would translate,” Luhnow explained. “But we eventually realized what we had.”
Ultimately, the Astros decided to keep Altuve a move that would change the direction of their franchise.
At the time of the near-trade, Jose Altuve was still working his way up the Astros’ system. Standing just 5-foot-6, he defied the typical mold of a modern major league player. Scouts were split. Some believed in his quick hands, elite contact skills, and strong work ethic. Others questioned whether his size would hold him back in the big leagues.
For a franchise like the Astros who were deep in a rebuild phase every move was about future value. Had the Royals offered a more proven prospect or a package of players, Altuve may have been dealt.
Luhnow admitted that the front office debated his future, especially since the Astros had little to lose in those years.
The deal reportedly involved a low-level prospect swap, though exact names from the Royals’ side have not yet been confirmed publicly.
Luckily for Astros fans, the deal never went through. Jose Altuve would go on to become:
Over the years, he’s earned a reputation as one of MLB’s best pure hitters and a clubhouse leader. With over 2,000 hits and counting, he’s now considered a future Hall of Fame candidate.
Had that trade gone through, the trajectory of two franchises Houston and Kansas City might have looked very different.
The Altuve story is a perfect example of how unpredictable baseball development can be. Even highly skilled front office executives occasionally misjudge future greatness. While Altuve was once an underdog prospect, his determination and talent proved far more valuable than anyone expected.
It also highlights the risk MLB teams face when rebuilding. Teams often deal away young talent in hopes of getting value back quickly. But players like Altuve show that patience and belief in a player’s unique skillset can pay off in a massive way.
As the story spread online, fans reacted with a mix of shock and relief. Astros fans were stunned to hear that their franchise cornerstone was once almost sent away, while Royals fans were left wondering what might have been.
On social media, reactions ranged from:
The story also reignited discussions about other near-trades in MLB history that could have reshaped the sport. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best move is the one that never gets made.
If Altuve had landed in Kansas City, it’s possible he could have become a central figure in the Royals’ successful 2015 World Series run. His speed and hitting ability might have perfectly complemented the Royals’ contact-heavy, speed-driven style.
On the other hand, he might not have flourished the same way without Houston’s player development approach and lineup protection.
Still, it’s an intriguing alternate history for MLB fans to consider.
The confirmation from Jeff Luhnow, following Dayton Moore’s story, gives this tale a new level of credibility. Jose Altuve, one of the greatest players in Astros history, was almost traded away before his stardom began.
Thankfully for Houston, the deal never went through. Instead, Altuve became the heart of a championship team, a fan favorite, and one of the most respected second basemen of his era.
For Royals fans, it’s a moment of “what could have been.” And for baseball lovers, it’s yet another reminder of how thin the line can be between history and alternate reality in America’s pastime.
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