Hard to believe, but Alex Bregman is still a Houston Astro. After months of speculation and rumors, it still appears that the two-time All-Star will be exiting Houston before the start of the 2025 season. But not so fast. Astros’ general manager, Dana Brown, stated today that there is still a small opening for the club to retain the third baseman.
While Brown admitted it is still a long shot to sign the nine-year veteran, the team, Bregman, and his agent have resumed positive conversations.
Houston’s Perspective
During the whole season, the outlook has been that Bregman will not be returning to the team. With this in mind, the Astros traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes. Then, they signed a three-year contract with free agent first baseman Christian Walker. That would make for a crowded Houston infield with Walker penciled in at the first base and Paredes slotted to man the “hot corner.”
But Brown put another log on the fire when he said.
“I love watching Bregman play third base, so I can’t imagine putting Bregman or having (manager) Joe (Espada) put him in any other position other than third base. That’s his home. He puts on clinics when he’s playing third base, and he’s just as special as anybody, Gold Glove there and so I can’t picture him playing anywhere else.”
Houston manager Joe Espada has kept in touch with Bregman during the offseason and told the slugger that he wished Alex would stay in Houston forever. Espada also told him he has a home with the Astros and is part of the club’s family.
Bregman’s Quandry
The lack of clarity regarding Bregman’s market availability has also worked in the team’s favor. There has also been some dissension in the Astros’ clubhouse regarding the possibility of his departure. Houston’s six-year, $156 million contract offer remains on the table, but owner Jim Crane does not give out long-term contracts and is hesitant for the team to cross the luxury tax for a second straight season.
Bregman’s free agency remains murky. According to Ari Alexander of KPRC 2, the 30-year-old has received at least three offers of five years or longer, including one from Houston. His agent, Scott Boras, has been adamant about stating that his client is not entertaining a shorter-term deal.
Altuve’s View
And Houston’s All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve has added an interesting twist to the story. When asked about the possibility of moving to leftfield with the re-signing of Bregman creating a logjam in the Astros’s infield, Altuve remarked.
“Alex, he’s one of the best players in the whole league, but he’s definitely one of the best players on the team, so we want him to stay. So whatever I have to do for him to stay, I’m willing to do it.”
