The Houston Astros are gearing up for their final regular-season homestand. Kicking off this Thursday evening, it’s a bittersweet time. This homestand will feature a series of “lasts”: the final home runs, the last standing ovations, and heartfelt farewells that stretch through September. But the looming question remains. Will this be Alex Bregman’s last run in an Astros uniform?

It’s a question that stirs the hearts of fans and players alike. “Words can’t really describe what he means to this clubhouse,” Jake Meyers said, about the situation. With players like Bregman and Altuve at the helm, the team has forged a culture that thrives beyond adversity. The former has sidestepped from making bold declarations about his future, but his silence shouldn’t be mistaken for a desire to leave Houston. Instead, it’s clear that the decision will come down to the dollars and years offered.

Jose Altuve “would just pay Breggy whatever he wants,” asserts bold confidence in Alex’s future at Houston

When Altuve speaks, the echoes of his words resonate deeply throughout the Astros’ organization. Few players possess the clout he carries, especially when discussing a cornerstone like Alex Bregman. Despite both being represented by Scott Boras, Altuve rarely makes such bold declarations. “I don’t see any chances of him leaving. That might be just me. I really think that, at the end of the season, our front office people, GM, and ownership (are) going to get a deal done for him. I don’t think — I’m sure — that we are not only a better team with him, but we are a better organization with him. We really need to make it happen,” Altuve said.

Altuve’s faith in the front office signals a crucial moment, one that could shape the franchise’s future. Bregman’s 9 seasons in Houston have undeniably transformed the team’s landscape. “Made this entire organization better than where we actually were before him,” Jose told The Athletic this week, and it’s hard to argue.

“I don’t have control, but if I could, I would just pay Breggy whatever he wants. His professionalism, his desire to win, and his desire to get better at the stage he is — he’s a superstar — that’s really hard to find. You don’t find a lot of guys trying to get better like he does every single year, every single day. We really need to reward guys like him.” Let’s see if his confidence resonates with the decision-makers, and they keep the heart of Houston baseball beating strong! 

Alex Bregman’s value to the Houston Astros

To say the Astros haven’t invested in their stars would be disingenuous. Just look at the contracts: Altuve has secured two 5-year extensions worth a staggering $276 million. Yordan Alvarez landed a 6-year, $115 million deal before even stepping into salary arbitration. And let’s not forget the elephant in the room, Alex Bregman, who inked a 6-year, $100 million contract, before the 2019 season. Since then, he has only been outperformed by 8 major-league players in wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs.

Of those, just one—José Ramírez—plays third base. It does speak volumes about Alex Bregman’s impact on the field. While his power numbers may have dipped alongside rough starts to seasons, his on-base skills, plate discipline, and elite defensive plays are as sharp as ever.

This homestand offers all a chance to celebrate a potential farewell and Alex Bregman’s incredible contributions to the Astros’ success. “He’s got this remarkable, almost 40 WAR career,” Scott Boras said of Bregman, who has accrued 39.3 fWAR and 39.1 bWAR. “In many ways, he’s on a Hall of Fame pace. If you get into the 75-80 WAR category, you’re there.” Boras recently negotiated a six-year, $151 million contract extension for Matt Chapman, a third baseman one year older than Alex with similar WAR numbers.  

But when it comes to offensive prowess and postseason experience, Bregman holds the upper hand—his pedigree is unmatched. Chapman’s contract should serve as a baseline for any negotiations, who revealed this week that he hasn’t received any formal offer from the Astros. Throughout the season, General Manager Dana Brown has maintained that the club would extend an offer, and he even had discussions with Boras during Houston’s recent series in Anaheim. Do you think the Astros will retain Alex Bergman?