Astros are re-opening talks with long-time third baseman Alex Bregman: sources

HOUSTON – Talks between the Houston Astros and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman have resumed in recent days, according to three league sources, rekindling hopes of a reunion between the franchise and one of its cornerstones.

That possibility appeared dead in December when general manager Dana Brown said talks between the two sides had “stalled” and the team traded for first baseman Christian Walker.

A lack of clarity in the Bregman market last month may have allowed the Astros to get back into contention. According to three sources, turmoil in the Astros’ clubhouse over the possibility of Bregman’s departure – and Brown’s statement that negotiations had “stalled” – also partially contributed to Houston’s return.

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

The team’s long-standing offer to Bregman remains on the table, a source said Thursday afternoon, but it’s unclear whether the Astros will move on from the reported six years and $156 million included.

Owner Jim Crane has never signed a free agent contract that lasted longer than five years or was more expensive than $95 million. All winter, team sources have indicated that Crane is unwilling to exceed the luxury tax for the second year in a row – and the club’s actions have been consistent with that stance.

Trader Kyle Tucker and shopper Ryan Pressly are the most obvious signs that Houston is trying to control a bloated payroll, due in part to the disastrous contracts Crane handed out to José Abreu and Rafael Montero.

The Astros want to trade Ryan Pressly, who has a full no-trade clause. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)

Cot’s Contracts estimates the Astros are already about $2.5 million over the first luxury tax threshold. Pressly’s market is evolving quickly, with the Chicago Cubs among the clubs most interested in the veteran player, who is expected to earn $14 million next season. Pressly has a full no-trade clause and must agree to every deal. As of Thursday evening, he had not done so.

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Whether Crane’s luxury tax calculus will change based on Bregman’s place in franchise history and his importance in the current clubhouse is a mystery — and perhaps the lynchpin upon which this situation rests. This is the same owner who approved a $95 million contract for free-agent closer Josh Hader last season after he privately expressed similar concerns about luxury tax overruns, so another impulsive move isn’t an option would be a surprise.

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

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

Altuve has never pitched a major league inning anywhere other than second base or shortstop, but his range and defensive numbers have gradually declined over the last two seasons at second base. Paredes, who is nine years younger than Altuve, has 53 major league starts at second base.

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

This would be a radical decision for one of the faces of the franchise, but would serve Altuve’s ultimate goal – having Bregman by his side as a teammate for the foreseeable future.

(Top photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)