Big name free agent Major League Baseball players have landed their new contracts.
Players such as Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes, Teoscar Hernandez, and Blake Snell are comfortably tucked away on rosters of new teams.
It’s surprising that former Houston Astros third baseman, Alex Bregman, is still looking to sign a free agent contract.
The right-handed hitting Bregman, 30, may not be classified as a Superstar.
He is, however, a very good baseball player with a consistent, steady career of high production with the Astros; the only team he has played for in his nine-year MLB career.
Bregman was a 1st round pick by the Astros in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.
He was the No. 2 overall pick, second only to shortstop Dansby Swanson, who went to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Chosen out of Louisiana State University, Bregman received a handsome $5.9 million signing bonus.
Houston obviously valued what Bregman could bring to their team.
He has met those expectations. And then some.
Bregman carries a career stat line of .272/.366/.483/.848, with 265 doubles, 18 triples, 191 home runs, and 663 RBIs in 4,832 plate appearances.
Bregman was an All Star in both 2018, and 2019. He was a Silver Slugger in 2019.
Bregman is coming off a year when he won a Gold Glove at third base for Houston.
What This Scout Likes About Bregman:
Alex Bregman is a very consistent, reliable presence at third base, and in the middle of a lineup.
Consider these stats from the past three seasons:
2022- 23 home runs, 93 RBIs, .454 slugging percentage in 155 games
2023= 25 home runs, 98 RBIs. .441 slugging percentage in 161 games
2024= 26 home runs, 75 RBS, .453 slugging percentage in 145 games
It doesn’t get much more consistent than that.
An excellent contact hitter, Bregman shows up, and plays. And he plays hard.
No, Alex Bregman won’t put people in the stands just by his presence.
Bur Bregman will deliver quality offensive production, and solid Gold Glove caliber defense.
The Astros traded slugger Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs for third baseman Isaac Paredes, versatile Cam Smith, and pitcher Hayden Wesneski
Paredes is 25-years-old, and makes less money than Bregman.
Paredes won’t make fans forget Kyle Tucker. But he’ll be in the lineup.
How the Astros could trade Tucker, and not pay him, is beyond this scout’s thinking.
The Astros also signed free agent first baseman, Christian Walker.
sportrac.com lists the current Tax Payroll of the Astros at $183,133,133.
sportrac.com lists the Astros estimated opening day payroll will be $240,378,333.
Maybe that’s high enough for Astros owner Jim Crane.
Bregman is represented by the Boras Corporation. Scott Boras has been known to wait as long as it takes to get the best deal for his players.
Potential Landing Spots For Alex Bregman:
To this scout, there are several teams that need third basemen, and each has a history of high player payroll.
New York Yankees-
The Yankees could upgrade their third base position with Bregman.
Currently, they list Oswaldo Cabrera, and possibly D J LeMahieu as their platoon at third.
Bregman is an upgrade at the position. Especially for a team like the Yankees.
Toronto Blue Jays-
With the Blue Jays listing Ernie Clement as their third baseman on fangraphs.com, one would think they would have great interest in upgrading the position with Bregman.
Bregman would fit nicely in a lineup that features Vlad Guerrero Jr., and not much else on offense.
With Bo Bichette an uncertainty on offense, Bregman fits perfectly in Toronto.
New York Mets-
As it stands now, the Mets have not signed Pete Alonso, their free agent first baseman.
They have penciled in Brett Baty to play third, with young slugger Mark Vientos moving to first.
Bregman is a clear upgrade to Baty at third base for a team like the Mets, who want to win now.
San Francisco Giants-
The Giants are always looking for more offense.
If Bregman wanted to tolerate the difficulties hitting in Oracle Park in San Francisco, he would make a difference for a Giants club wanting desperately to play in the deep end of the pool.
