Astros Get Encouraging Update on Alex Bregman Negotiations
This offseason has accelerated at a breakneck pace for the Houston Astros, going from 0 to 100 in the span of a few weeks. What was expected to be a quiet winter suddenly turned hectic as Spring Training approached.
First, the Astros signed All-Star closer Josh Hader to a five-year, $95 million deal. Then they followed it up by handing Jose Altuve a five-year, $125 million extension.
Houston is suddenly treating cash like Monopoly money, and Alex Bregman could be the next to benefit.
While the Astros are likely done spending on free agents, they'd still like to extend their All-Star third baseman before he reaches free agency next winter.
That will likely take at least as much money as signing Altuve and Hader combined, if not more. However, at least Houston fans got a positive update on that front Wednesday.
According to Astros reporter Brian McTaggart, Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, spoke with GM Dana Brown on Wednesday about a possible extension for Bregman.
Boras said there's no timetable for an extension at the moment, but that Bregman is "open to listening to whatever the Astros have to say."
While that's not the most exciting update in the world, it's still a positive one for two reasons.
For starters, it's good that Brown and the front office are proactively speaking to Boras about an extension. Now that the Altuve deal is done, Brown can focus on trying to hammer out a deal with Bregman.
It's also encouraging that Bregman is keeping an open mind and listening to Houston's offers. Boras is known for taking his clients to free agency and typically avoids signing extensions, but it sounds like Bregman is willing to work with the Astros here.
Time will tell if both sides can reach an agreement before next offseason, but at least there are signs of progress for now.
