After losing in the wild card series, could the Astros also lose Alex Bregman next year? With free agency on the horizon, he’s bound to attract a lot of interest. Fingers crossed the third baseman sticks with the Astros. And José Altuve, the 14-year veteran, feels the same. As the team’s unquestioned leader, José’s voice carries serious weight in the clubhouse. All his words are in favor of keeping Bregman in the Astros uniform, especially with the tough reality of already losing a record they set back in 2016.

While the Astros took a tough hit on Wednesday, facing a 5-2 elimination loss to the Tigers in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series at Minute Maid Park. This defeat not only ended their season but also snapped their impressive streak of making the postseason for seven straight years. Now, the reality of potentially losing another cornerstone player next year could widen the gap between them and the crown. José Altuve believes it’s crucial for the team to make a deal to keep things steady—otherwise, it’s going to be a wild ride ahead.

Jose Altuve would be heartbroken if Alex leaves

On top of it, as per Athletic, a ride without Alex Bregman next year, as José Altuve said, would be “heartbroken” for him. Over the years, Altuve has watched the team lose stars like George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Gerrit Cole to free agency. Sure, the Astros have managed to bounce back. But José feels a bit differently about Bregman, saying, “He’s a leader. He’s probably one of the best players in franchise history.” Well, it’s a big compliment coming from a veteran who has given more than a decade to baseball already.

While the feeling about Alex Bregman being a leader is shared throughout the Astros, when it comes to being the franchise’s best player, the stats back it up. Bregman ranks sixth in homers (191), seventh in doubles (265), eighth in runs (694), ninth in RBIs (663), and 11th in hits (1,132) on the Astros’ all-time hitting charts. Plus, his 19 career postseason homers are tied for the sixth most in team history. Unfortunately, he won’t be adding to that postseason record this year.

But Jose Altuve is confident that the star would come back to the Astros, only saying, “In my mind, there’s not a chance this is the last game.” Ultimately, it’s up to Alex to decide what happens next. Recently, the 30-year-old has also opened up to share his thoughts about being a free agent next year.

What does Alex Bregman feel about his free agency?

The star was snagged by the Astros with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, straight out of LSU, and he made his debut just a year later against the Yankees. Talk about a way to jump into the big leagues! Plus, he helped lead the team to the AL Championship Series in each of his seven full seasons—until this year’s disappointment, of course. Now, with A-Breg hitting the free-agent market and expected to be one of the hottest names available, there is some good news for Astros fans.

Those close to Bregman say staying in Houston is a top priority, especially with his wife’s roots in the city. And the Astros general manager, Dana Brown, has already made plans to have a chat with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras. Set after the season about a possible extension. When asked about free agency, Bregman simply said, “I hope so,” cherishing the incredible eight-year journey so far. All signs point to the third baseman wanting to remain with the team, but A-Breg also revealed the negotiations will be left in Scott’s capable hands.

As Alex has no prior experience of being a free agent, Bregman’s entire career reign was with the Astros. But while it’s his first, Scott has been the number one agent known for hefty deals for his clients. Given the stats and impressive gameplay the 30-year-old has put on display, you can bet the numbers will be soaring. Plus, plenty of teams will be lining up to snag this talent, making the competition even fiercer. It’s shaping up to be an exciting bidding war next year. What are your thoughts? Drop in the comments below.