Astros re-engage in talks with longtime third baseman Alex Bregman: Sources

HOUSTON — Conversations between the Houston Astros and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman have resumed within recent days, according to three league sources, reigniting some hope of a reunion between the franchise and one of its cornerstones.

That possibility seemed dead in December, when general manager Dana Brown said talks between both sides had “stalled” and the team pivoted to first baseman Christian Walker.

A lack of clarity in Bregman’s market across the past month may have allowed the Astros back into the fray. According to three sources, unrest within the Astros’ clubhouse about the possibility of Bregman’s departure — and Brown declaring the negotiations “stalled” — also contributed, in part, to Houston circling back.

USA Today first reported on Thursday that the Astros are “keeping the door ajar” for Bregman to return. The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers have also had varying levels of interest in Bregman, the reigning American League Gold Glover at third base and unquestioned leader inside Houston’s clubhouse.

The team’s longstanding offer to Bregman remains on the table, one source said on Thursday afternoon, but it’s unclear if the Astros will budge from the reported six years and $156 million it contained.

Owner Jim Crane has never given a free-agent deal longer than five years or more expensive than $95 million. Throughout the winter, team sources have indicated Crane is unwilling to cross the luxury tax for a second consecutive year — and the club’s actions have matched that stance.

Trading Kyle Tucker and shopping setup man Ryan Pressly are the most apparent signs that Houston is trying to control a payroll bloated, in part, by the disastrous contracts Crane gave to José Abreu and Rafael Montero.

Cot’s Contracts estimates the Astros are already around $2.5 million over the first luxury tax threshold. Pressly’s market is moving quickly, with the Chicago Cubs being among the most interested clubs in the veteran setup man, who is scheduled to make $14 million next season. Pressly has a full no-trade clause and must approve any deal. As of Thursday night, he had not.

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Whether Crane’s luxury tax calculus will change due to Bregman’s place in franchise lore and prominence in the current clubhouse is a mystery — and perhaps the fulcrum on which this situation rests. This is the same owner who, last season, authorized a $95 million contract for free-agent closer Josh Hader after privately expressing similar hesitance to crossing the luxury tax, so another impulsive move would arrive as no surprise.

Throughout October, second baseman Jose Altuve pleaded with Crane and the Astros’ front office to retain Bregman, a player he said “made this entire organization better than where we actually were before him.” In November, Crane acknowledged Altuve’s comments “(carry) some weight with me and carries some weight with Dana.”

If Bregman is back in Houston, team sources indicated he would play third base in place of Isaac Paredes, whom the Astros acquired as part of the three-player package for Tucker. In that scenario, both Paredes and Altuve could face a position change.

Altuve has never played a major-league inning anywhere but second base or shortstop, but his range and defensive metrics have gradually declined at second base across the past two seasons. Paredes, who is nine years younger than Altuve, has 53 major-league starts at second base.

According to multiple sources, moving Altuve to left field would be under consideration if Bregman returns to play third base, a theory first floated by USA Today on Thursday afternoon.

Doing so would represent a radical decision for one of the franchise’s faces, but would assist in Altuve’s ultimate goal — having Bregman alongside him as a teammate for the foreseeable future.

(Top photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)

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