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    Best free agency for long-time Astros 3B

    Pabio Posted on

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    He may not have the Most Valuable Player title like his teammate Jose Altuve, but Alex Bregman has been one of the faces of the Houston Astros franchise since its historic run of AL West dominance began in 2017.

    A free agent for the first time in his career at the age of 30, Bregman is one of the biggest names on the market this winter and is expected to land a nine-figure contract.

    Bregman made his major league debut in 2016 and was a World Series champion in 2017, the first of Houston’s seven consecutive trips to the AL Championship Series. He finished second in AL MVP voting in 2019 with the best season of his career to date, hitting 41 home runs with a 1.015 OPS and 8.9 WAR. His power declined over the years, but Bregman won his first career Gold Glove in 2024.

    Here’s a look at some of the major potential landing spots for Bregman:

    Houston Astros

    Can they really let him walk? Houston has won the AL West seven times in Bregman’s nine seasons and it’s the only club he’s known since going No. 2 overall in the 2015 draft. A return makes sense, but the Astros may not be willing to give Bregman the type of contract he desires — which would be in the $160 million to $180 million range. That said, they signed Jose Altuve to a five-year extension last spring and it’s hard to imagine the second baseman being too happy if his infield mate leaves.

    New York Yankees

    Bregman would immediately solve the Yankees’ third base problem and allow Jazz Chisholm Jr. to move to second base. It may not be a factor, but it’s worth remembering that Bregman is persona non grata in the Bronx for his role in the Astros’ cheating scandal, allegedly depriving the Yankees of the AL pennant in 2017. Fans Yankees (and captain Aaron Judge) willing to put all that aside for a guy with an OPS below .800?

    New York Mets

    The Mets and Bregman could go different routes here. He’s primed to play second base, a position the Mets desperately need to improve this winter. But if the team doesn’t bring back Pete Alonso or replace him outright at first, they might consider moving Mark Vientos to the diamond (or to DH?) and putting Gold Glove winner Bregman at corner. hot.

    Washington Nationals

    The future may now be in Washington. With a pretty decent rotation, an All-Star shortstop in CJ Abrams and young sluggers James Wood and Dylan Crews making waves in the majors, a wild-card run wouldn’t be a shock in 2025. Bregman is possibly – might be expensive, but spending the money would give the Nationals a proven winner and perhaps more importantly, re-establish Washington as a team to take seriously.

    Toronto Blue Jays

    The Blue Jays just want someone to take their money. Bregman would surely love to play with Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Toronto’s infield, but the two Blue Jays stars will both be free agents after the 2025 season. Whether Bregman would commit his long-term future with so much uncertainty ?

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    Pabio
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