MLB free agency has been underway for about two and a half months, yet Alex Bregman, the two-time All-Star third baseman, remains without a contract. Bregman, who has spent his entire career with the Houston Astros and contributed to two World Series titles, has not reached a new deal with the team. Earlier this winter, Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, declined a six-year, $156 million offer from the Astros, leaving him still unsigned as the offseason progresses.
Despite the stalled negotiations, the Astros remain hopeful that they can secure Bregman’s return, especially with pitchers and catchers set to report in less than a month. Houston’s manager, Joe Espada, recently addressed the situation, expressing optimism about Bregman’s potential return to the team. Espada shared that he has maintained communication with Bregman throughout the offseason and considers him a friend.
In a statement, Espada said, “Well, he has not signed with anyone, right? So, we here still open… our arms are still open. The door’s still open. There’s always a chance, right? But right now we are still in conversations with not only him but with other free agent players. So we’ll see. We’ll see.”
Espada’s comments suggest that the Astros are keeping their options open while continuing discussions with Bregman and other free agents. With time running out before the start of Spring Training, the situation remains fluid, and the team is eager to see how things unfold in the coming weeks.