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What does Jose Altuve's new contract mean for Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor?

The Houston Astros shortstop just signed a 5-year, $151 million contract extension.
Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images

If Francisco Lindor's trademark smile has looked brighter than usual lately, there might be a reason why. With second baseman Jose Altuve agreeing to a 5-year, $151 million contract extension with the Houston Astros, the market appears to have been set for the Cleveland Indians' All-Star shortstop.

Aside from both being middle infielders, there are plenty of similarities to be found between Altuve and Lindor. Altuve is 27 while Lindor is 24, putting both players at the early stages of their respective primes.

From an experience standpoint, Altuve has the edge, having been a member of the Astros' major league roster since 2011. But ever since Lindor was called up to Cleveland in 2015, the two have put out similar statistics, according to MLBComparisons.com.

Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Altuve, the 2017 American League MVP, has hit for a .332 average to go along with a 63 home runs, 243 RBIs, a .842 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) and lays claim to a 20.6 WAR (wins above replacement) in 468 games in the last three seasons. Lindor, meanwhile, has hit for a .293 batting average, 60 home runs, 218 RBIs, a .823 OPS and accumulated a 15.6 WAR in the first 416 games of his MLB career.

But while Altuve has been slightly more productive and has a longer track record, it wouldn't be a stretch to also argue that Lindor has the higher upside.

In his age-23 season -- which was also his third year in the majors -- Altuve hit for a .283 average, 5 home runs, 52 RBIs, a .678 OPS and a 1.0 WAR. Aside from Altuve hitting for a higher batting average (Lindor hit for .273 in 2017), those numbers were all less than the ones posted by Lindor (33 home runs, 89 RBIs, .842 OPS, 5.5 WAR) as he made his second straight All-Star Game appearance a season ago.

In 2013, Altuve -- then a rising star -- hedged his bets, agreeing to a relatively modest 4-year, $12.5 million extension. The Indians would love for Lindor to do something similar, as many players do early in their MLB careers. Such opportunity, however, no longer appears to be an option -- if it ever even was one.

For each of the past two offseasons, talk of an extension between the Indians and Lindor have been whispered about without ever gaining much momentum. A year ago, Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci reported that Lindor -- coming off just his first full season in Cleveland -- had turned down a $100 million contract.

Credit: Jason Miller/Getty Images

That would seem to indicate Lindor and his agent, David Meter, are looking for a higher figure -- something Indians management might be unwilling to do. Last month, Lindor told Paul Haynes of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer that the Indians had not yet approached him regarding an extension.

"The Indians haven't talked to me about an extension," Lindor told Haynes. "If you want any more information, talk to my agent or the Indians."

With the 2-time All-Star still under the team's control through the 2021 season, Cleveland isn't in danger of losing Lindor anytime soon.

But should the Indians opt to take another swing at locking up Lindor -- especially with Bryce Harper set to sign a big contract somewhere next summer -- the market for their young star appears to have just been set.

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