Astros’ Alex Bregman makes expected decision amid free agency
The Astros offered Alex Bregman the qualifying offer.
As expected, the Houston Astros offered star third basemen Alex Bregman a qualifying offer ahead of his upcoming free agency. Bregman has made his decision about whether or not to accept it.
Not surprisingly, Bregman rejected the one-year, $21.05 million offer ahead of Tuesday’s 4:00 p.m. ET deadline to return to the Astros according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. That means that Bregman will remain a free agent, and can now sign with any of the 30 Major League teams.
Bregman, who is represented by super agent Scott Boras, is reportedly seeking a deal similar to San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado’s 11-year, $350 million contract. Based on that desire, there was no way that Bregman would ever consider accepting the Astros’ qualifying offer.
Last season, Bregman slashed .260/.315/.453 while hitting 26 home runs and the first Gold Glove award of his career. Throughout his career, Bregman has been named an All-Star twice, won a Silver Slugger, and played a key role in the Astros’ World Series victories in 2017 and 2022.
Even if Machado’s gigantic 11-year, $350 million contract is not possible for Bregman, he should be able to secure a shorter-term contract similar to what the San Francisco Giants recently gave third baseman Matt Chapman, a six-year, $151 million contract.
