In Houston, they’re already talking about Alex Bregman in the past tense. But what’s next for the two-time All-Star and World Series champion?
The Astros’ American League dynasty was significantly shaped by Bregman’s contributions since he became a full-time player in 2017 and got the biggest hit in their World Series run that year. He went on to sign a five-year, $100 million contract extension that expired after this season.
And now, he’s looking for his full market value.
That’s why the Astros’ six-year, $156 million offer was deemed insufficient by Bregman and agent Scott Boras. Perhaps that’s pretty close to what Bregman will receive, but Astros GM Dana Brown told reporters that talks “stalled” recently, which prompted Houston to sign first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million deal last week.
In concert with their acquisition of infielder Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs, that pretty much sealed Bregman’s fate with the Astros. And now he’s the top remaining free agent on the market – No. 4 overall – and things could move quickly.
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A look at the path ahead for Bregman and his future suitors:
A Tigers tale?
Just as the Astros moved to all but ensure Bregman’s departure, the Detroit Tigers have opened up what looks like a perfect vacancy.
After signing infielder Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million contract, GM Scott Harris told reporters that second-year infielder Colt Keith would be moving to first base. That leaves a Bregman-sized hole at the hot corner – and a desire in Detroit to maximize the two seasons before its own premier free agent – Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal – becomes a free agent.
While Detroit’s last foray into nine-figure free agency – the $140 million, six-year deal given infielder Javy Báez – has not worked out, 2025 marks the start of that pact’s final three years. A six-year deal that allows the Tigers to best Houston’s $156 million deal would not be financially onerous by any stretch; adding a seventh year would address future luxury tax concerns.
On the field, Bregman would slot in wonderfully among lefty sluggers Parker Meadows, Riley Greene and postseason hero Kerry Carpenter, while enabling valued veteran Matt Vierling to fulfill a super utility role. And of course, Bregman would reunite with former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, whose star is again rising after guiding Detroit to the AL Division Series last season.
Polar Bear predicament?
The New York Mets have reached the point where they can’t be ruled out of any free agent pursuit. And while they kick-started the winter with the tremor-producing $765 million deal for Juan Soto, their second-largest expenditure was “merely” the $75 million committed to retain lefty starter Sean Manaea.
Now, they’re just kinda hanging around.
Given the manner in which the Soto signing raised the stakes, the infield can hardly be defined as Opening Day-ready. And like Bregman with the Astros, the Mets could be engaging in their own staring contest with a franchise icon, slugging first baseman Pete Alonso.
It’s hard to imagine the 2025 Mets surrounding their best player, shortstop Francisco Lindor, with Brett Baty, Jeff McNeil and Mark Vientos on the dirt. Certainly, there’s a path to add both Alonso and Bregman: Financially, because owner Steve Cohen’s pockets are bottomless, and in the lineup, with Vientos, Bregman and Alonso bouncing among third, second, first and designated hitter.
Bregman would give the Mets a daunting look: In the six seasons he’s played at least 100 games, Bregman has registered between 4 and 8.9 WAR; Lindor produced 7.9 WAR last year while Vientos accumulated 3.1 in just 111 games. Meanwhile, Alonso has three seasons of at least 40 homers and five seasons with at least 30.
Still, signing both would seem unlikely. The question is, which one leaps first?
The field
The “game script” of this off-season has largely gone to plan, most notably with the New York Yankees pivoting to Max Fried (signed to a $218 million deal) and Cody Bellinger (acquired from the Chicago Cubs) after losing Soto to the Mets, who predictably emptied the vault for him.
Yet the text veered off topic when the Arizona Diamondbacks startlingly signed Corbin Burnes to a $210 million deal. Will Bregman’s free agency take a similar turn?
There’s already plenty of smoke connecting him to multiple teams. Right now, the Tigers are on the front burner, but the Boston Red Sox, spurned by Soto, Fried and others, remain in the mix. Both Boston and the Toronto Blue Jays fall into the category of high-revenue teams with itchy trigger fingers after failing in bids for marquee additions.
Is that it?
Probably, although the Burnes saga taught us to never rule out the unforeseen. Either way, Bregman should know very soon in 2025 where his new home will be.
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