3 Alex Bregman replacements if the third baseman leaves the Astros in free agency
Houston, we have a solution.
The Houston Astros are widely expected to lose Alex Bregman in free agency after a disappointing end to the season. We haven’t seen Houston shy away from big contracts in the past, but after re-upping Jose Altuve, dumping $95 million on Josh Hader’s doorstep, and preparing what is sure to be a massive extension offer for Kyle Tucker next winter, one couldn’t blame the Astros for letting Bregman walk.
Okay, that’s a lie. The Astros wouldn’t be able to live it down. Bregman is a bonafide franchise legend and a two-time World Series champ. Letting him walk would be akin to Freddie Freeman joining the Dodgers. Braves fans weren’t exactly thrilled. Now, Bregman could end up returning — he’s teasing fans on social media — but the tea leaves point to Bregman winding up in a new city.
The veteran is sure to be a hot commodity. He’s a true five-tool weapon, excellent with his glove at the hot corner and explosive in the batter’s box. This was not Bregman’s best individual campaign, but he still managed .260/.315/.453 splits with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs. After Matt Chapman’s monstrous $151 million extension in San Francisco, the stage is set for a desperate front office to splurge on Bregman.
Whether it’s an established contender or an upstart dark horse, teams will be pushing hard to get Bregman out of Houston. Here are a few replacement options the Astros should have lined up, just in case this all goes south.
For more news and rumors, check out MLB Insider Robert Murray’s work on The Baseball Insiders podcast, subscribe to The Moonshot, our weekly MLB newsletter, and join the discord to get the inside scoop between now and the MLB offseason.
