The Houston Astros have some tough decisions to make this winter.
Houston is in an unfamiliar position. The Astros have made deep playoff runs seemingly each year in recent memory. Houston has had one of the best cores in baseball, but there is a chance that a massive piece could end up leaving this winter.
Astros superstar Alex Bregman will be a free agent and is expected to be expensive. He is projected to get a deal worth $165 million over six years right now by Spotrac. While that is the case, there has been speculation that he could be looking for at least $200 million.
It's unclear what the team will do. There was speculation around the trade deadline that Houston could look to move Bregman, but the Astros turned things around, and the club kept him around.
Now, Houston will have to open the checkbook or let one of its most important sluggers walk. Bleacher Reports's Joe Tansey predicted that he will end up staying in Houston, though.
"ESPN's Alden Gonzalez reported that 'the Astros have yet to present a formal offer to Bregman, but they are expected to in the near future.' Alex Bregman is one of the top (non-Juan Soto) free-agent hitters set to hit the market," Tansey said. "The Astros face a tough decision with the 30-year-old third baseman. They could let him walk, like they did with George Springer and Carlos Correa, or they could re-sign him and have him continue to be a cornerstone of the franchise alongside Jose Altuve...
"The Astros should try to get a deal done, but if Bregman does move on, an emerging team, like the Detroit Tigers, could be an intriguing fit, as could the Milwaukee Brewers to bring more power in the lineup or the Toronto Blue Jays to refresh a stale collection of stars. Prediction: Bregman stays in Houston, signs six-year deal."
Will Houston reunite with the star? Until he signs elsewhere, it is a possibility.
More MLB: Blockbuster trade idea lands Cardinals $87 million star with Astros
