The Astros and were apparently making some recent progre s on extension talks, per reports from and . Heyman described the talks as serious while Alexander said the two sides were deep in discu sions. Alexander adds that the deal in question would have exceeded $105MM over five years. However, Heyman notes that these talks took place before Pea switched his representation to the Boras Corporation. Earlier this week, reported that Pea had hired Boras to represent him. Pea, 27, has long been a solid shortstop of the glove-first variety but his bat has taken a step forward this year. From 2022 to 2024, he produced a combined .261/.307/.399 batting line. He hit 47 home runs but only drew walks in 4.9% of his plate appearances. His 100 wRC+ for that span indicates he was exactly league average at the plate. But thanks to his glovework and 44 stolen bases, he was able to produce 8.9 wins above replacement in the eyes of FanGraphs. This year, hes already up to 4.0 fWAR through 79 games thanks to a ma sive .326/.382/.495 line and 150 wRC+. Thats not entirely sustainable, as hes currently riding a .365 batting average on balls in play. For context, this years league average is .291 and Pea personally had a .308 BABIP coming into the season. Still, there are some signs its not entirely luck. His 41.4% hard hit rate is a career high. He has 11 home runs, despite only hitting 15 last year and just 10 the year prior. His 5.9% walk rate is still low but an improvement for him. His strikeout rate is also down for a fourth straight year. He had a 24.2% rate in his rookie season in 2022, then 20.3% the year after, 17.1% last season and Carlos Hernandez Jersey 15.9% this year. Though there may be some regre sion coming, it seems fair to conclude Pea has increased his earning power with his bat this year. Perhaps he realized this as well and thats why he made the pivot to Boras. The idea that Boras clients never sign extensions is incorrect, as shown in . Several big-name Boras clients have signed extensions, including , and Peas teammates and . On the other hand, there is some truth to the fact that Boras clients generally lean towards trying out the free agent market. Its po sible theres a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing happening. Do Boras clients look to maximize earnings because thats the way the agency prefers to operate? Or do players looking to max out hire Boras because they have seen him play that game? Whatever the reasoning, Pea has made the switch at a notable time. He came into this year with exactly three years of major league service time, meaning hell be at the four-year mark at the end of the year and on pace for free agency after 2027. Pea is currently in his age-27 season, making a $4.1MM arbitration salary. A five-year deal starting in 2026 would buy out his final two arb years and three free agent years. Looking again to for players in the 4-5 service window who signed extensions, the group has two clear standouts. recently secured himself a six-year, $170MM guarantee. A few years prior, got $168MM over eight years. Theres a clear gap between those deals and what the Astros were discu sing with Pea, so perhaps that is what has led to this pause. Since Pea is currently in his age-27 season, he is on track to reach free agency after his age-29 campaign. A five-year extension would buy out his age-28 through age-32 seasons. If he can keep putting up solid numbers, he should have more earning power by going year to year and hitting the open market younger. Though that naturally comes with the risk that his performance dips or he suffers a significant injury between now and then. Ultimately, its up to Pea and what his priorities are. As mentioned, hes making $4.1MM this year. He has already set himself up for a nice raise next year. He should have some financial security and could bank on himself if he wants. If hes comfortable with the Astros, perhaps he would be willing to take something below full market value to stay, but then maybe he wouldnt have hired Boras if that were the case. For the Astros, they have extended some players, as mentioned. However, they have also let guys like , and others walk to sign elsewhere. They signed to an early-career extension but eventually let him hit free agency and sign with the Red Sox. seems likely to depart after the current season. seemed unlikely to sign an extension and was traded in the offseason. Payroll wise, the Astros are right up against the competitive balance tax this year and are clearly trying to avoid it, though they have more wiggle room going forward. has their 2026 CBT number pegged at $135MM, about $100MM lower than this years. Arbitration raises will increase that numbers but the club is going to see commitments to , and come off the books. Their most notable impending free agent is Valdez, though they may feel they can replace him internally with their many injured starters potentially getting healthier by next year. Looking farther down the line, McCullers comes off the books after 2026, and after 2027, then and after 2028. Altuve is the only guy on the books by 2029 and theyre clear by 2030. It appears there should be room in there for Pea but he will have to agree on an acceptable price point. Photo courtesy of Cary Edmondson, Imagn Images Nick Anderson Jersey