Astros third baseman Alex Bregman is approaching free agency for the first time, but there’s a possibility he might stay off the open market.
Astros general manager Dana Brown mentioned to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart that the team plans to revisit contract talks with Bregman soon. Brown said he recently spoke briefly with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, and they agreed to discuss a deal after the season ends.
Brown has consistently expressed the team’s interest in negotiating a new contract with Bregman, who signed a five-year, $100 million extension in 2019. However, finalizing a deal could be difficult, although not impossible. While Boras clients are known for typically testing free agency, there are exceptions—such as Matt Chapman, who signed a six-year, $151 million deal with the Giants earlier this year.
Bregman may aim for a bigger contract than Chapman, as he has provided similar value on the field but is a year younger. Both had standout seasons in 2018 and 2019, with Bregman having the edge in offensive performance, while Chapman excelled defensively. Since 2020, they’ve remained comparably valuable, with Bregman posting a slightly better offensive output and Chapman maintaining superior defense. Bregman could use Chapman’s contract as a baseline and argue for a higher guarantee.
Securing Bregman would be a significant move for the Astros, who typically avoid massive contracts. The team gave Jose Altuve a five-year, $151 million extension in 2018, which remains their largest deal. The Astros’ financial situation has changed since then, as they are now exceeding the competitive balance tax threshold, making additional spending more complicated.
With a projected payroll of around $200 million for 2025, the Astros face tough decisions. Re-signing Bregman is a priority, but they also have other offseason tasks, including addressing potential holes in their pitching rotation. Continuing to exceed the tax threshold will increase penalties for the team, making negotiations more challenging.
Whether or not the Astros can finalize a deal with Bregman is uncertain. Although they are eager to keep him, meaningful discussions have yet to take place. If Bregman does test free agency, Houston will likely face competition from other teams. Bregman is ranked third on MLBTR’s most recent Free Agent Power Rankings, following Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes. The Tigers have been mentioned as a possible contender for Bregman.
