During the offseason, the Houston Astros made significant financial moves, such as securing Josh Hader for $95 million and extending Jose Altuve for $125 million. However, they neglected to allocate funds towards securing Alex Bregman, who will become a free agent next winter.
With Spring Training already underway, the Astros face a time crunch to negotiate an extension with Bregman before the start of the season. Otherwise, they may have to wait until the following offseason, during which competing teams could vie for his services.
When questioned about Bregman’s extension status, Houston GM Dana Brown provided a vague response during an interview with SportsTalk 790, indicating that while they intend to make an offer eventually, they are currently not actively engaged in negotiations.
This lack of progress disappoints Astros fans, especially considering Bregman and his agent Scott Boras have expressed openness to extension discussions with Houston. Yet, no offer has been presented by the Astros thus far.
Given that Spring Training has commenced, Bregman’s focus is primarily on preparing for the upcoming season and maximizing his performance to enhance his value as a free agent. Complicating matters is Boras’s inclination to avoid extensions in favor of exploring the open market for his clients.
Houston must demonstrate greater urgency and extend an offer to Bregman promptly to allow ample time for negotiation. At the very least, they need to convey to Bregman that they value him and are committed to retaining him long-term, mirroring their approach with Altuve.
Delaying the offer diminishes the likelihood of reaching an extension agreement with Bregman.
