The Houston Astros have spent big. Ranked the fifth-highest payroll in baseball, the team surpassed the competitive balance tax for the first time. Owner Jim Crane made it clear on Monday that he’s “comfortable enough” to spend similarly in 2025; this could bode well for the team’s pursuit of free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, who remains the Astros’ top offseason priority.

Crane’s comments signal that the Astros aren’t shy about opening up the checkbook. They want to keep their championship-caliber roster intact. While the talks are ongoing, with Astros GM Dana Brown meeting frequently with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, there’s still no firm update. But with the financial flexibility on the table, the Astros are clearly positioning themselves to make a strong push to re-sign Bregman. But why the delay?

The Astros respect Jose Altuve’s wishes 

After the season ended, Jim Crane admitted that seeing Jose Altuve publicly plead with the club to re-sign Alex Bregman really caught his attention. “We love Altuve. I love Altuve,” Crane said, acknowledging the significance of the message while noting, “We told him we were going to make a strong effort to get it done and that we’d do our best. It carries some weight with me, and it carries some weight with Dana.” Bregman has indeed been a cornerstone of the Astros for years. 

Now, with Altuve’s endorsement, it’s clear the front office recognizes how crucial the third baseman is to their future. “He’s been our best player on our team for a long time, and hopefully he’ll continue that,” Crane claimed, adding, “We’ve got him here until, hopefully, he gets into the Hall of Fame.” With the support of the team’s leader and a commitment to keeping Bregman in Houston, the Astros are making it clear—they’re all-in on securing their star for the long haul. But a recent ESPN survey says otherwise.

Despite the Astros’s efforts, they might lose Alex Bregman

Now, the big question is: Will Alex Bregman leave the Houston Astros? The results were tight as per the ESPN survey, with 11 votes in favor of him leaving Houston and 7 votes saying he’ll stay. The close nature of the vote highlights the value Bregman brings to a team. Several voters in the survey pointed out that other teams might need his bat and battle-tested veteran presence more than the Astros do at this stage.

One respondent noted, “Other teams need his bat and battle-tested vet presence more than Houston does.” If Bregman does leave, there are a few teams emerging as potential suitors. The Philadelphia Phillies could be a destination, especially if they decide to trade Alec Bohm. Another intriguing possibility for Alex is the San Francisco Giants, who might be willing to make a larger-than-expected move. 

Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, has suggested that he might be open to a position change, allowing Alex to fit into a new infield role. One survey participant speculated that Bregman moving to second base could be a signal that the Giants are a serious contender—that would potentially pair him with Matt Chapman. While it’s far from a done deal, the survey results show that many see Bregman’s future elsewhere.