The Houston Astros season has come to an end.
With a 5-2 loss in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series to the Detroit Tigers, the Astros were eliminated from the postseason and denied a chance to reach their eighth consecutive ALCS.
Wednesday's loss also might mean the end of the line for a fan favorite in Houston. Third baseman Alex Bregman is going to be a free agent at the end of the 2024 season. He could potentially depart for another club.
However, Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report doesn't think that will be the case and projected the two-time World Series champion to remain in Houston.
"The Astros face a tough decision with the 30-year-old third baseman," Tansey wrote. "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."
Outside of Altuve, Bregman is the last remaining holdover from the Astros 2017 World Series championship team. He and Altuve were both on hand for the 2022 title as well.
Houston doesn't always spend big on free agents. They already extended Altuve and also gave Josh Hader a massive contract. As such, they could decide to let Bregman walk.
Still, it would be hard to imagine him leaving Houston. Tansley predicted that the Astros will give the veteran slugger a six-year deal. They'll have to pay a significant price to do so.
The slugger hit .260 with 26 home runs, 75 RBI, and a .768 OPS. Some of his numbers plummeted a bit, but he still posted a respectable stat line in 2024.
It will be interesting to see what Bregman's market looks like. Houston would be wise to prioritize re-signing him after the postseason comes to an end.
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