Alex Bregman’s time with the Astros might be coming to an end, even as Houston remains one of three teams pursuing the star third baseman.
The two-time World Series champion is looking for at least a six-year deal, but teams haven’t been willing to meet those terms. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros have each offered Bregman at least four years – still short of his target.
What’s interesting here is the timing. Spring training is already underway, and Bregman’s still without a team. The situation’s starting to look a lot like Cody Bellinger’s last offseason, when he ended up taking a shorter deal with a higher annual value.
That’s where things could get interesting for Houston. While Astros GM Dana Brown has been talking about Bregman in the past tense – even suggesting they’ve already lost him – a shorter-term deal might bring Houston back into play.
The Astros know what they’d be getting in Bregman. He’s been a cornerstone of thier defense and a consistent presence in the lineup since 2016. The two-time All-Star brings both playoff experience and everyday reliability that’s hard to replace.
But even if Houston’s still in the mix, they’re facing real competition. Both the Tigers and Red Sox have the resources and the need for a player of Bregman’s caliber. The way the market’s shaping up, we might see movement soon – teams and players typically want these things settled before spring training gets too far along.
The next few weeks should tell us a lot about where Bregman ends up. What started as a search for a long-term deal might turn into something quite different, and that could reshape the whole race for his services.
