HOUSTON – The Houston Astros have an offer of 6 years, around $156 million on the table for star third baseman Alex Bregman, a league source confirms to KPRC 2, confirming multiple reports.
Bregman is the top free agent third baseman on the market, and is coming off winning his first Gold Glove award while hitting .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBI, with an OPS+ of 118 in the final season of a 5-year, $100 million extension with the Astros.
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The two-time World Series Champion and two-time All-Star has been one of the top clubhouse leaders during the Astros golden era, and is credited by pitchers as well as hitters with giving them insights to improve their game.
The Astros are working to retain their 2015 2nd overall pick, repeatedly calling Bregman their “top priority” this offseason, but have multiple holes to fill including first base. GM Dana Brown has also expressed his desire to upgrade the pitching staff, while also seeking a left-handed hitting outfielder to balance out the right handed-hitting Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers.
Other fits that make sense for Bregman include the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners among others. Many of those teams are waiting on other factors that could color their pursuit for Bregman.
The Yankees are reportedly waiting on a decision from top free agent outfielder Juan Soto, and Soto’s reported $600M price tag could tie up too much money to afford Bregman as well. The Phillies are reportedly shopping third baseman Alec Bohm, and would need to clear a spot before a serious pursuit of Bregman. The Red Sox signed third baseman Rafael Devers to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract, and his agent recently publicly said Devers will not move from third base. The Mariners and Tigers, while fits, are not typically known for giving out the type of large contract Bregman will command.
Bregman’s teammates, including Jose Altuve have passionately voiced their desire for the Astros to retain the third baseman, something the front office has said they have taken into consideration.
Without Bregman, internal options at third base are limited, and mostly inexperienced. Mauricio Dubon is a Gold Glove winner, but much of his value lies in his ability to play all over the diamond for the Astros. Zach Dezenzo is a top Astros prospect and an option, but GM Dana Brown said at GM Meetings the team envisions Dezenzo more at first base. 2024 Minor League Hitter of the Year Shay Whitcomb is an option at third, and had a cup of coffee in the big leagues, while 2023 first round pick Brice Matthews has been fast rising through the minors, playing multiple positions, including third. Dezenzo, Whitcomb and Matthews combine for 111 career MLB plate appearances.
Other options on the free agent market include former Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco, former Mariners infielder (and Astros farm hand) Josh Rojas, and former White Sox third baseman and top prospect Yoan Moncada. Polanco has played just 24 games at third base at the big league level, while Rojas is a career 92 OPS+ hitter (8% below league average). Moncada only played 12 games in 2024, and has missed a total of 258 games the past three seasons. Beyond Bregman, both internally and externally, there is a large drop off at third base.
Things should heat up this week at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Dallas, which start Sunday evening, going through Wednesday afternoon.
