Breaking down Bregman’s top suitors … and each of their chances
Alex Bregman is the best third baseman available in free agency this year, and numerous clubs are expected to bid on the 30-year-old two-time World Series champion. In recent times, three teams in particular have been rumored to be interested in Bregman, with the most obvious being Houston, where he’s played his entire career. The other two are Detroit and Philadelphia. MLB.com beat writers debated the pros and cons for each:
Why Bregman makes the most sense for…
Astros: He’s arguably the Astros’ most popular player behind Jose Altuve when it comes to Houston’s run of success over the last decade. Plus, his wife is from Houston and he’s put down some roots in Texas. Bregman said at the end of the season he’d like to remain with the Astros, who took him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 Draft out of LSU. The Astros, who have won seven of the past eight AL West titles and have been to the World Series four times since 2017, are still in a win-now mode, and winning is all Bregman has known. They made the ALCS in his first seven full seasons in the big leagues before falling short last season. Altuve practically pleaded with the Astros to keep Bregman in Houston when the season ended, and owner Jim Crane later admitted Altuve’s words carry meaning. — Brian McTaggart
Tigers: A look at Detroit’s roster and its season shows a team on the rise with young talent all over the field. Bregman is the veteran leader and proven winner that can help the Tigers take the next step, and the kind of impact right-handed bat to balance out what became a lefty-leaning lineup down the stretch and into the playoffs. His high-walk, lower-strikeout approach at the plate fits the Tigers’ mantra of dominating the strike zone, and his outstanding defense at third base can stabilize a position that has been a revolving door at Comerica Park since Nick Castellanos became an outfielder years ago. Oh, and he played for Tigers manager A.J. Hinch for four years in Houston, including with the 2017 World Series champions. — Jason Beck
Phillies: The Phillies are looking to shake up the roster following two disappointing finishes in the last two postseasons. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hinted that trades are coming, and no tradeable player is probably more valuable than All-Star third baseman Alec Bohm. If the Phillies got a good enough return for Bohm, they would need to find a replacement. Who better than Bregman? — Todd Zolecki
What will each team’s best “pitch” be?
Astros: Bregman will turn 31 at the start of next season, so a six- or seven-year contract extension means he’ll probably finish his career in Houston. Altuve’s extension prior to last season will keep him in Houston until he’s 39 years old, and Bregman could join him as an “Astro for life” if he re-signs with Houston. Altuve desperately wants to
Bregman to return, and the two — the only remaining position players who were on both of Houston’s championship teams — could finish their careers in Houston as the faces of the golden era of baseball in Houston, the same way Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio were the faces of an Astros team that made the playoffs six times from 1997-2005 (1997-99, ‘01, ‘04-05). — McTaggart
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