Time is ticking for Alex Bregman to get his new home! He is known to have rejected the Astros’ offer of $156 million for six years. Now according to multiple sources, he has more offers in his kitty. Jon Heyman of The New York Post reports that he has a “lucrative” 6-year offer, with an opt-out after the first year, from another club “that may not be not be high on his list.” Heyman mentions the Cubs, Tigers, and Red Sox as clubs that have been in the mix. Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently appeared on Area 45 with Bijani and Creighton and suggested the Blue Jays might have a six-year offer out to Bregman.

Going back to the Astros seemed like a strong possibility and there has been mutual interest in a reunion. But with a gap in talks in terms of the financials, and Bregman reportedly looking to get something close to $200MM, it had hit a roadblock. Bregman viewed the $156MM offer as a pay cut. That offer would come with an average annual value of $26MM. Bregman signed an extension with the Astros in March 2019, a five-year, $100MM pact. That was only a $20MM AAV, but it was back loaded. Bregman got a $10MM signing bonus and then had a salary of $11MM in the first 3 years of that deal, followed by salaries of $28.5MM in the last two. Though the recent offer from Houston would have come with an AAV bump compared to that entire contract, it appears the immediate downgrade in salary wasn’t satisfactory.

Amid all this, this agent Scott Boras’ hardball approach could be making things complicated. Boras is coming up with demand for opt-outs, higher AAV, and extended years. These conditions made asymmetric situations for the suitors, and they are yet to adhere to all these terms, leaving Alex Bregman without a team as of now. Currently, Bregman has two major options—he can opt for a multi-year deal with a lower AAV or choose a short-term deal with a higher AAV. And MLB journalist Tyler Milliken believes that it is not possible to get both.

Now, the Astros are still open to offering $156 million for six years. On the other hand, the Red Sox’s offer presents a higher AAV and short-term contract, leaving Alex Bregman fewer chances to bargain. Milliken said on the Underdog MLB with Jared Carrabis podcast, “I think what Bregman ultimately has to, maybe it’s not even Bregman, it is Boras, you have to pick one. Do you want the years or do you want the AAV?”

“Because if you have got a 3-year offer in front of you for the AAV that you’re in search of, okay there you go, there’s your respect, there’s your dollars, but if you want the years, then you’re not going to get the AAV that you have in a three-year offer it’s just you’re not going to get both. so what you are in search of? Coz, if you have the six-year offer, multiple six-year offers in front of you, then like what are we doing here? Why are we still unemployed at the moment? Just doesn’t make sense to me

The conditions Boras has set, along with his exorbitant asking price, have come under fire for diminishing the chances of players like Bregman. Notably, Boras also represents Pete Alonso, who is also unsigned now. Meanwhile, the entire debacle led Bregman to get interest from other clubs while the Astros also turned to other players.

They acquired Isaac Paredes in the Kyle Tucker deal and then signed Christian Walker. Those two, along with Jeremy Peña and Jose Altuve, seemed to fill the Houston infield and block Bregman’s path back to the club. But, more recently, reports suggest that the door is probably still open. The club apparently is willing to re-sign Bregman, move Paredes to second, and Altuve to left field. With all that, the question still lingers on which team the 2024 Golden Glove winner will choose. 

Time is running out for Alex Bregman

The spring season is just about to start, and Bregman needs to make his decision soon. Among the contending suitors, the Red Sox and Astros are the two major destinations available for him, with both teams offering different propositions that include offering varied playing positions.

The Red Sox have Rafael Devers at third and prospects like Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer charging toward the second base opening. Moving Devers over to first base makes some sense on account of his poor defense, but he seems reluctant to make that move and Boston has Triston Casas at first and Masataka Yoshida, a likely designated hitter. The Tigers would be blocking Jace Jung, a top prospect who has already cracked the majors, from regular playing time. The Cubs would similarly be blocking Matt Shaw. The Jays would be blocking a group of potential third baseman that includes Orelvis Martínez, Addison Barger, and Ernie Clement.

The Astros still look to be the most suitable destination for Bregman for all reasons. With them, Bregman will get to play at his staple position, and he is getting a six-year deal as well. Just an addition of opt-out or going for higher AAV for, say, three years can be a welcome deal for him and Boras. This offseason has already witnessed the benefits of short-term deals with high AAV, like Jurickson Profar, and this can only land a contract to Bregman.

Ultimately, Bregman going for a short-term deal with options for opt-out could be the most suitable for him, and he can fetch his expected amount once he hits free agency considering his performance would be good. Where do you think Bregman will join? Share with us below.