The marketplace for free-agent infielder Alex Bregman has appeared bleak this offseason, however the Houston Astros aren’t able to half methods with out having their say.
Bregman, a goal for varied groups throughout baseball together with the Boston Crimson Sox, nonetheless hasn’t signed. There are lower than three weeks left till pitchers and catchers start to report for spring coaching, leaving little or no time for Bregman and all suitors. That doesn’t simply embrace the Crimson Sox, it additionally contains the Astros who aren’t shutting the door fully on welcoming again their longtime third baseman.
“Nicely, he has not signed with anybody, proper?” Houston supervisor Joe Espada informed FOX26 Houston’s Will Kunkel. “So, our arms are nonetheless open. The door remains to be open. There’s at all times an opportunity, proper? However proper now, we’re nonetheless in conversations with not solely him however with different free-agent gamers. So we’ll see. We’ll see.”
The Astros haven’t been tied to Bregman, in accordance with the chit-chatter that’s loomed this offseason. Houston’s entrance workplace has ready for the occasion of an official departure by expressing commerce curiosity in St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. But, despite the fact that Arenado wishes a farewell from St. Louis, the eight-time All-Star refused to waive his no-trade clause to hitch the Astros.
That’s restricted Houston’s choices.
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J.D. Davis, Yoán Moncada and Jace Pederson are among the many quick listing of free-agent third basemen nonetheless unsigned. None match Bregman’s observe report in All-Star appearances, titles or general status that the 30-year-old has spent 9 seasons with the Astros amassing.
If Bregman does really feel sentimental going ahead, maybe Houston has the benefit over Boston. Bregman has spent everything of his big-league service time with the franchise, watching fellow homegrown stars like Carlos Correa and George Springer ascend and depart alongside the best way.
The Astros have stayed in contact with Bregman over the previous few months.
“We have now (exchanged) textual content messages with Bregman in the course of the offseason and in the course of the holidays,” Espada revealed. “I don’t solely have a look at him as a participant, however he’s additionally somebody that I look after. He’s a pal. He’s somebody that has accomplished so much for our neighborhood. So I’m at all times reaching out and ensuring that he is aware of that we’re right here for him. And our gamers are at all times asking about him so I prefer to remind him that as properly.”
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Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora, one other fan of Bregman’s, spent the 2017 season with the veteran infielder in Houston because the group defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers within the World Sequence. It was Cora’s first and solely season as a giant league bench coach, and like Bregman’s run in Houston, may play a consider his resolution.
Since final season’s commerce deadline, Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has been on the hunt for a right-handed bat. The group simply misplaced Tyler O’Neill, its most deadly right-handed hitter and final season’s Crimson Sox dwelling run chief (31). Since Bregman matches the mould of what Boston wants, the Crimson Sox can’t be dominated out fully — even when the Astros are taking pictures their shot at a re-run.
