There’s a growing buzz that Alex Bregman might be on his way out of Houston, and it all comes down to Jim Crane and his philosophy. Under Crane’s leadership, the Astros have stuck to a strict policy of avoiding massive contracts. Sure, they’ve handed out some decent deals, but nothing like those giant contracts in other cities. Bregman got a taste of that philosophy recently when the Astros offered him their biggest contract ever in terms of total value—$156 million.

But Alex Bregman wasn’t having it. The third baseman felt he was worth more, and now, with Crane hesitating to meet Bregman’s asking price, the door is wide open for other teams to swoop in—it’s only a matter of time before Bregman finds a deal that reflects his true value. Ken Rosenthal put his thoughts on Foul Territory, adding, “I see Alex Bregman leaving. The Houston Astros under Jim Crane have not been willing to give out these monster contracts. They have been extremely successful. Do not get me wrong, but why did they trade Tucker?”

“Because they don’t want to go to the $300, $400, or $500 million dollar range next year when it’s going to be a matter of being a free agent and them having to ante up,” Rosenthal further noted. So, it looks like the Astros might have given up on the third baseman after naming him the ‘priority’ of the offseason. The Kyle Tucker trade was intriguing, but it can affect the future of Alex Bregman in Houston; spoiler alert: not looking good for Bregman.

The Cubs are sending third baseman Isaac Paredes, pitcher Hayden Wesneski, and prospect Cam Smith to Houston in exchange for Tucker. On the surface, it’s a pretty solid return for the Astros, but here’s the real kicker: This trade is a flashing sign that highlights how the team is probably not bringing back Bregman. The Cubs are making a play to add another star, possibly Cody Bellinger, and Houston is clearly starting to focus on rebuilding and reloading for the future. But it might not include the New Mexico native, given the other piece of the puzzle that can’t be ignored is Bregman’s age.

A decline in numbers could be the reason for Astros’ hesitancy in keeping Alex Bregman

The Houston Astros’ decision to stick with their six-year offer may not have been such a bad one after all, even though Alex Bregman has been a key member of the team’s lineup during their most successful run ever. Since Bregman’s offensive numbers have been declining in previous seasons, the Astros front management has probably taken that into account. Bregman’s .261/.341/.446 slash line since the beginning of 2023 is a significant decrease from the .277/.375/.497 he displayed throughout his best years. While it’s not a spectacular collapse, it’s enough to draw attention, particularly when discussing a significant, long-term commitment.

Nonetheless, the 30-year-old is still a highly reliable player; therefore, that doesn’t imply he won’t continue to be an impactful player in the upcoming seasons. However, there are indications that Bregman might soon be nearing the end of his prime. So, given the unpredictability of a player’s decline with age, the Astros could be unwilling to commit to too much money for too long—it might get difficult balancing in the end. The Astros’ offer shows their belief in Bregman’s worth as well as their realistic understanding of where his career could go.

So, for Houston, the goal now is to maximize Alex Bregman’s potential without taking on excessive risk at the end of a deal. What’s your take on these uncertainties surrounding Bregman’s future destination? Let us know below.