The Detroit Tigers‘ offseason white whale remains on the market with just over two weeks until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training.
Third baseman Alex Bregman, who the Tigers have been linked to, remains on the free-agent market heading into February. The Tigers and Bregman have been at a standstill in negotiations throughout the winter, and other teams are also in pursuit. His former team, the Houston Astros, traded reliever Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs to free up the space necessary to potentially re-sign him.
The Tigers, Cubs, Astros, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays are the teams reportedly after Bregman. Teams want the nine-year MLB veteran to play third base and provide above-average pop from the right side of the plate. Bregman is a two-time All-Star and World Series champion who hit .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2024.
At the team’s annual FanFest over the weekend, Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters the door on a potential reunion with Bregman remains “cracked” because he is available, but said it is likely a longshot opportunity. The Astros offered Bregman a six-year, $156 million contract in October but he chose to hit the free-agent market and hear offers from other teams, including Detroit.
The Free Press reported last week the negotiations between the Tigers and Bregman’s camp “are at a standstill” due to a “gap in perceived value” in terms of money on the contract.
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Houston added first baseman Christian Walker in free agency and received third baseman Isaac Paredes after trading All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker. The Astros made the moves in response to Bregman’s expected departure, but the original offer remains “on the table” according to MLB’s Brian McTaggart. USA TODAY reported no other team has offered the $200 million contract Bregman is seeking.
Star Astros second baseman Jose Altuve could reportedly move to left field with Paredes sliding to second base to accommodate Bregman’s return. At FanFest, Altuve said “For Alex, I’ll do whatever” regarding the potential position switch.
The Tigers have been linked with Bregman since the start of the offseason. President of baseball operations Scott Harris said he wanted to add a right-handed bat and the Tigers have a potential hole at the hot corner. Detroit has signed starting pitcher Alex Cobb and second baseman Gleyber Torres but has not signed anyone to play third base.
As it stands now, the Tigers are mostly going to run back the same roster that snuck into the final playoff spot with a magical September run before falling in the final game of the ALDS. Bregman, 31, would bring playoff experience, a veteran presence and a solid bat to slide into the middle of a lineup in search of more juice.
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22, and email him atjramsey@freepress.com.
The Detroit Tigers are reportedly targeting Alex Bregman in free agency, but the Houston Astros could swoop in and sign the star third baseman. Bregman, a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, would be a huge addition to the Tigers lineup. However, the Astros have the financial resources and a winning team to potentially lure Bregman back to Houston. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Detroit Tigers, Alex Bregman, Houston Astros, MLB, free agency, baseball, Detroit Tigers trade rumors, Houston Astros roster, Alex Bregman contract negotiations.
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