Yordan Alvarez has put himself in position for another major piece of hardware.
The Baseball Writers Association of America has named the Astros designated hitter a finalist for the 2026 American League Most Valuable Player, putting him one step away from the first MVP award of his career. If he gets the vote, Alvarez would become the third player in Astros history to take home the honor.
Alvarez, 29, turned in a monster season at the plate. In 158 games, he hit .316 with 179 hits in 567 at-bats, scored 105 runs and piled up 34 doubles, one triple, 42 home runs, 106 RBI and 109 walks while posting a 1.033 OPS.
His numbers didn’t just stand out in Houston - they led the American League in batting average, OPS, slugging percentage at .601, on-base percentage at .432, total bases with 341, walks with 109, intentional walks with 33, wRC+ at 181, OPS+ at 190 and extra-base hits with 77. He also finished tied for second in home runs, second in RBI, second in hits, fourth in doubles and fourth in runs scored.
Alvarez was the only player in the majors this season to finish with an OPS above 1.000.
He also claimed both the American League and Major League batting titles, becoming the third player in franchise history to win a batting title, alongside Yuli Gurriel in 2021 and Jose Altuve in 2014 and 2016-17.
That batting title came with a rare power twist. Alvarez became just the third player since 1970 to win the AL batting crown while also hitting at least 40 home runs, joining Aaron Judge in 2025 and Miguel Cabrera in 2012-13.
The intentional walks piled up too. Alvarez set the Astros franchise record with 33, leaving him just three short of the all-time AL mark of 36 set by Judge in 2025.
His season was decorated beyond the everyday box score. Alvarez picked up three AL Player of the Week awards and two AL Player of the Month honors, and he was selected to his fourth All-Star Game. It was the second time he was voted in as a starter, matching what he did in 2024.
If Alvarez wins, he’ll join Jeff Bagwell in 1994 and Jose Altuve in 2017 as Astros who have earned BBWAA MVP honors.
The MLB Most Valuable Player awards will be announced Thursday, November 12 at 6 p.m. central on MLB Network.
In Other News...
Astros Manager Search Is Moving Fast Under Randy Flores
The Astros managerial search is already moving at a brisk pace under newly hired general manager Randy Flores, who has full authority over baseball operations and is looking to settle on a manager soon. Among the names in the mix are Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta and Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, two familiar figures with different paths but the kind of experience teams often sort through when trying to set a new tone in the dugout.
There has also been chatter around other possible candidates, including Albert Pujols, which only adds to the sense that this search could widen before it narrows. For now, though, the clearest sign of where things stand is that Flores is working quickly and keeping the process moving, with the Astros trying to line up the right voice for the next chapter without letting the speculation run ahead of the actual interviews. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Just Sent A Clear Message About Isaac Paredes
Isaac Paredes gave the Astros plenty to like in his first season of real significance in Houston, and the front office responded by keeping the third baseman in place. After a productive 2026 campaign in which he hit .262 with 25 home runs and 94 RBIs, the club chose to pick up his option rather than let the situation linger into the winter, a sign that his bat mattered more than any lingering questions about how he fit defensively.
For Houston, the move also clarifies the infield picture for the near future. Paredes remains under team control through 2027, giving the Astros stability at a premium position while they continue to weigh the full package he brings. There is still a wrinkle attached to the deal, though, and it keeps one more layer of intrigue around a player who is already firmly part of the organizations plans. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Manager Search Just Opened A Wild Albert Pujols Possibility
The Astros managerial search has already taken on an unexpected feel, and Albert Pujols is now part of the conversation. According to MLB Networks Jon Morosi, the former star slugger is being considered for Houstons opening, a notable twist for a team weighing its next move after the end of an era in the dugout. Pujols was also in the mix for the Angels managerial job last offseason and could surface there again, which only adds to the intrigue around how quickly his post-playing career could accelerate.
For Houston, the appeal is obvious enough to at least make the idea worth watching: Pujols brings instant name recognition, deep baseball credibility and a profile that would resonate far beyond the clubhouse. And if the Astros were to go in that direction, the calendar would add another layer of drama, with a scheduled 2027 series against St. Louis waiting on the horizon. For now, its just a possibility, but its the kind that can change the tone of a search in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]