The top offseason priority for the Houston Astros is re-signing their franchise third baseman Alex Bregman. Bregman was projected to land a contract worth $119 million, per Spotrac, but the Astros have already reportedly offered a deal over $150 million. Still, the rumors indicate that Bregman wants more.
Either way, it doesn’t seem like any team is going to outbid the Astros for Bregman. Especially not if Houston ventures into the $170 million range.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicts that Houston will, in fact, retain Bregman, predicting the Astros to win him over the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees.
“Alex Bregman could make sense for a variety of teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers and Yankees. None, though, are a better fit than the Houston Astros, where the 30-year-old has spent the first nine years of his career,” Kelly wrote. “He just added his first Gold Glove to a resume that already included a pair of All-Star Game nods, a Silver Slugger, and two World Series titles. Bregman is a franchise icon, and Houston general manager Dana Brown sounded optimistic late in the season on the team’s chances of retaining him.”
There have been a lot of predictions indicating Bregman could look to reunite with AJ Hinch in Detroit, but I don’t think the Tigers will be willing to cough up the money it would take to bring in the star third baseman.
The reports indicate that Bregman’s negotiations already have him bringing in over $150 million on his next deal, so unless somebody pays him the $200 million he’s asking for, he’s going to be an Astro for the next five or six years.
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MLB Rumors: Astros Want Bregman Contract; Eye Adames, Jorge Polanco as Backup Options
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The Houston Astros are reportedly attempting to re-sign Alex Bregman and the team is also targeting potential replacements such as Willy Adames and Jorge Polanco, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
“The Houston Astros are continuing their efforts to re-sign Bregman, while also setting up contingencies,” Rosenthal wrote on Monday. “The team is staying in contact with Adames, and has expressed interest in another free agent, Jorge Polanco, as a fallback option.”
Bregman spent all nine years of his career in Houston, gradually becoming a staple of a lineup that won multiple World Series titles. He ranks No. 6 on the Astros’ all-time home runs list and No. 11 on the team’s all-time hits leaderboard.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported on Nov. 25 that the Astros were interested in bringing him back on a six-year deal worth roughly $156 million, but Bregman is eyeing a contract that surpasses $200 million.
If both sides can’t reach an agreement, Houston could intensify negotiations with Adames. The shortstop is coming off an impressive 2024 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers, as his 32 home runs and 112 RBIs both represented career-high marks.
Adames would likely move to the hot corner if he signs with Houston.
Polanco doesn’t posses as much power at the plate compared to Bregman and Adames, but he could be a serviceable alternative. As a member of the Seattle Mariners in 2024, the 31-year-old recorded 16 homers and 11 doubles to go along with a .213/.296/.355 slash line.
With a change of scenery, Polanco could look like his former self after posting a .796 OPS from 2019-23 on the Minnesota Twins.
As the Astros look to secure their third baseman of the future in free agency, they’re targeting multiple options behind Bregman.
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