Veteran Houston Astros star Alex Bregman remains the top available free agent despite receiving multiple offers. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs have entered the race with four-year contract proposals after Bregman declined Houston’s six-year, $156 million offer. According to Jacob Zanolla of RealCubsInsider, the Cubs’ offer includes opt-outs and exceeds $100 million. Their bid came after the Astros initially decided against improving their proposal. However, Houston appears to have reconsidered, with Jon Heyman of The New York Post reporting that the team has increased its original offer. Despite this, Bregman seems uninterested in returning.
In a recent column, ESPN’s Buster Olney identified the Red Sox, Cubs, and Tigers as the most likely landing spots for Bregman, with sources within the Astros organization doubting his return. If he joins Boston, he could take advantage of Fenway Park’s Green Monster while adapting to a middle infield role. A short-term deal with the Cubs—similar to Cody Bellinger’s contract—would come with high expectations. Meanwhile, if he signs with Detroit, it would signal the Tigers’ intent to contend immediately, especially with Tarik Skubal approaching free agency in two years.
Bregman finished the 2024 season with a .768 OPS across 145 games, hitting .260 with 26 home runs—his third-highest career total—and 75 RBIs.