Ah, the Bregman dilemma — all the drama in the world of baseball contracts! It’s no secret that the Houston Astros absolutely adore Alex Bregman. He’s been the heart and soul of that team for years, not to mention a key figure in their 2017 World Series win. The fans love him, his teammates love him, and Bregman, too, loves Houston — so why is this reunion hitting a snag? Well, money matters!

Bregman has every right to want what he’s worth. The 30-year-old is not just any third baseman; he has been putting up MVP-caliber numbers for most of his career. From his gold glove defense to his power bat, Bregman is an asset. So, when it comes to contract negotiations, it’s only fair that he expects a deal that reflects his worth and legacy with the Astros.  

Alex Bregman’s loyalty is to the dollar signs 

MLB insider Patrick Creighton calls out the typical sports cliches we hear from players during free agency, and honestly, it’s refreshing. Creighton refers to Pete Alonso and his approach – how he directed Scott Boras to work out a deal with the Mets because he wanted to stay there. Well, that is a clear indication of his commitment to New York. Then there’s Alex Bregman. The Astros never truly gave Bregman a firm “we’re done with you” stance.  

The 30-year-old was accommodated, the offer was not rescinded, and Jose Altuve was even prepared to switch to left field to keep Bregman at 3B. But Bregman didn’t make the same demands to close a deal, and that’s where things start to feel a little different from the Alonso situation. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that money is the main factor here because A-Breg is looking for something around or over $189 million.

“Just be honest about it” is the main point of Creighton’s rant. After all of this, don’t remark, “This is where my heart wanted to be,” Creighton said. 

What did the Astros do meanwhile? 

In November, the Astros made Breggy their first offer – a six-year, $156 million contract that basically looked like a take-it-or-leave-it situation. Well, Bregman did, in fact, abandon it. The Astros, too, didn’t wait around since they were fed up. The club signed Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker and negotiated a trade for Cubs standout Isaac Paredes. The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, meanwhile, have entered the fray with more alluring offers. According to reports, the Tigers offered Bregman a five or six-year contract, while the Red Sox made a four-year offer.  

But amidst all these, Houston isn’t changing their first offer, despite the big budget move by switching reliever Ryan Pressly to free up $8.5 million. The Astros haven’t improved the situation or made any formal adjustments, even if they are eager to create a spot for Bregman (besides Jose Altuve, they are even thinking of moving Paredes to second base).

Well, the New Mexico native is now in a difficult situation: do you accept the Houston terms or put your money on the line and look for a higher salary from the other suitors?

The organization is still hoping for a reunion with Bregman, but the pressure is growing as their patience wears thin and other teams offer greater flexibility. Bregman’s group, led by the ever-calculating Scott Boras, is trying to play it cool. Ultimately, without Bregman’s unambiguous commitment, the Astros cannot afford to overcommit. Will Bregman eventually be able to stay in a familiar Astros uniform, or will he leave? What are your anticipations?