Negotiations between the Detroit Tigers and Alex Bregman are at a standstill as spring training approaches

Third baseman Alex Bregman — the consensus top position player remaining in free agency — is ready to sign a contract as spring training approaches.

The Detroit Tigers remain interested, but negotiations are at a standstill with less than a month until the first full roster workout of spring training, according to a source familiar with the situation. Detroit needs a right-handed, hitting third baseman and has the payroll flexibility to sign a franchise-changing free agent.

It’s unclear if other teams are pursuing Bregman more actively.

Bregman, who turns 31 at the end of March, was courted by the Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, among others, after turning down a six-year, $156 million contract to re-sign with the Houston Astros , because he wanted $200 million.

ROSTER PREDICTION 2.0:Should Jace Jung end up as the Opening Day starter at third base in 2025?

The gap in perceived value between the Tigers and Bregman still exists. For example, the Tigers refuse to pay $200 million and Bregman refuses to accept a short-term deal. Despite mutual interest, talks between the two sides have stalled.

“It’s really a matter of his and her decision-making on how to close that gap,” agent Scott Boras recently told USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale about Bregman’s market. “There is a lot of interest (in long-term) deals.”

WHY YOU NEED IT:Why free agent Alex Bregman can help the Tigers on the field and behind the scenes

The Blue Jays influenced the free agent market on Monday by signing outfielder Anthony Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract that extends to six years, $110 million if the Blue Jays lift his release clause after the third season. The Tigers expressed interest in Santander as a potential replacement option for Bregman, but were never considered a frontrunner.

As for Bregman, the Tigers have to decide whether they want to lead the market or follow the market. So far, it looks like the Tigers are following the market for Bregman by waiting for another team to make the first move and then entering the mix.

Tracking the market could both help and hurt the Tigers’ chances of signing Bregman.

The best-case scenario for Detroit? Bregman receives no further long-term offers, leaving the Tigers as the last team standing. The worst case scenarios? Bregman decides to sign elsewhere without giving the Tigers a chance to counter, leaving the Tigers without control of the market, or he opts for a short-term contract with opt-outs to attract more teams to bid.

WHAT WE KNOW:How, when and where will the Tigers sign Alex Bregman? Break down options

With Santander no longer on the roster, here are the top five position players available in free agency as spring training approaches: Bregman, first baseman Pete Alonso, infielder Ha-Seong Kim, outfielder Jurickson Profar and outfielder Alex Verdugo.

The Tigers don’t need a first baseman after signing Gleyber Torres at second base and moving Colt Keith to first base. So Bregman represents the final opportunity to give the offense an All-Star level upgrade via free agency.

(MUST LISTEN: Make “Days of Roaring” Your favorite Detroit Tigers podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple,Spotify) )

Negotiations between the Detroit Tigers and Alex Bregman are at a standstill as spring training approaches

ByAmelia Journalton

By Amelia Journalton

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