For a large chunk of free agency, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman was favored to re-sign with the team. But Houston pivoted elsewhere after the two parties were nearly $50 million apart on a contract.
It acquired Isaac Paredes to play third base and Christian Walker to play first base. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers are considered the most likely suitors for Bregman after the Astros seemingly dropped out of the race. Both American League East teams make a lot of sense under certain circumstances. If the Yankees are willing to dump another $200 million into a player after spending a lot this winter, they would make sense.
The fit alone makes sense, but the money could be a problem. The Red Sox would only make sense if they traded away first baseman Triston Casas. This move would allow Boston to slide Rafael Devers to first base, sign Bregman, and slot him in at third base. But MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand doesn’t see either AL East squad as a serious suitor.
Feinsand doesn’t believe the Yankees will pony up the cash to bring Bregman in and he doesn’t see Boston as a real suitor unless it moves Casas. While Feinsand isn’t directly saying the Tigers are the favorites to land Bregman, his belief the Yankees and Red Sox may not take the shot at him indicates Detroit is likely the front-runner. Feinsand also doesn’t cross either AL East team out. Both teams could still make a bigger effort to bring the former Astros third baseman to their city.
But if I had to choose a favorite based on what Feinsand said, I would lean with the Tigers. Detroit needs an infielder and sending $200 million to Bregman would be the front office’s perfect apology to the fanbase after giving up on the team last season.
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