Approaching Christmas, All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman remains unsigned, arguably the top position player still on the Major League Baseball free agent market.
The 31-year-old reached the postseason in all eight of his full seasons with the Houston Astros, winning the 2017 and 2022 World Series titles. A Gold Glove winner at the hot corner in 2024, Bregman has indicated he would move to second base for his new team, but is coming off a down year with a career-low .768 OPS.
Expected to command a contract between $150 and $200 million, a return to the Astros remains a possibility for Bregman – particularly after the St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado used his no-trade clause to nix a potential trade to Houston.
Some of the other teams reported to be interested in Bregman include the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets.
Here’s a look at some of his possible destinations and why they may or may not make sense:
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Houston Astros
Getting Isaac Paredes and 3B prospect Cam Smith from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade would seem to signal that the Astros are preparing for Life After Bregman – but doesn’t preclude a reunion. Houston was working on a trade with the Cardinals for Arenado, who used his no-trade clause to block a deal, so the club clearly isn’t satisfied heading into spring training with Paredes atop the depth chart.
New York Yankees
The Bronx Bombers have been on a warpath since losing out on Juan Soto, signing Max Fried to a $218 million deal and pulling off trades for All-Star closer Devin Williams and former MVP Cody Bellinger. They may have been favored for Bregman a few days ago, but the ensuing moves – and Yankees’ increased salary commitments – have changed the equation.
Boston Red Sox
Red Sox baseball officer Craig Breslow is adamant that Rafael Devers will remain Boston’s third baseman, indicating that Bregman would have to move to second base – something that agent Scott Boras has said he’s willing to do. Bregman, who has a 1.240 OPS in 80 career at-bats at Fenway Park, would add balance to the Red Sox’s lefty-heavy lineup and vastly improve the infield defense even if he’s adjusting to a new position.
Detroit Tigers
Bregman’s long history with Tigers skipper A.J. Hinch, who managed him from 2016-2019, could be a driving factor here with the Tigers coming off their first postseason appearance in a decade. Jace Jung is (lightly) penciled in as the team’s third baseman, with the 2022 first-round pick coming off a mixed performance (.362 OBP but 0 HR) in his 79 at-bat cup of coffee last year.
New York Mets
After committing $765 million to Juan Soto, the Mets could still bring in Bregman to play third base and push Mark Vientos to first base or designated hitter. But at the same $150-200 million price point, the Mets may intrinsically value Pete Alonso more than Bregman.
Toronto Blue Jays
For the second winter in a row, the Blue Jays lost out on a $700 million free agent. Will somebody please just take their money?!
Philadelphia Phillies
Yet to make a splash this winter, the Phillies could still pair a Bregman signing with an Alec Bohm trade.
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