After a bombshell, the Astros’ $200 million seems destined to land with an AL contender.
For much of free agency, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was expected to re-sign with the franchise. However, Houston shifted focus after the two parties were roughly $50 million apart on a contract. It added Isaac Paredes to play third base and Christian Walker to play first base.The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers are seen to be the most likely bidders for Bregman, after the Astros appeared to withdraw from the competition. Both American League East clubs make a lot of sense in certain scenarios.
If the Yankees are prepared to spend another $200 million on a player after spending so much this winter, it makes sense. The fit alone makes sense, but the cost may be an issue. The Red Sox would only make sense if they moved first baseman Triston Casas. This trade would allow Boston to transfer Rafael Devers to first base, sign Bregman, and place him at third base. But MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand does not view any AL East team as a viable bidder. Feinsand does not believe the Yankees would give up the cash to bring Bregman in, and he does not view Boston as a serious candidate until it trades Casas.
While Feinsand does not explicitly state that the Tigers are the favorites to sign Bregman, his conviction that the Yankees and Red Sox would not pursue him suggests Detroit is the front-runner. Feinsand also did not rule any AL East club out. Both teams might yet make a stronger push to lure the Houston Astros third baseman to their city.
But if I had to choose a favorite based on what Feinsand stated, I would go with the Tigers. Detroit needs an infielder, and throwing $200 million to Bregman would be the front office’s best way to apologize to the fans for abandoning the club last season.
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