With the month of February now just a week away, Alex Bregman remains a free agent. That has led to speculation that he may have to pivot his focus and try to secure a short-term pact, but that doesn’t seem to have happened yet. Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports today that Bregman has received offers of five years or longer from at least three teams this offseason, including the Astros. It’s not specified which clubs made these offers or when.
Bregman came into the winter as one of the top free agents available. He has hit .260/.349/.449 over the past three years while also getting strong grades for his third base defense. There was a bit of concern in 2024, as he got out to a slow start, slashing just .216/.283/.294 through the end of April. He eventually corrected and finished the year with a .260/.315/.453 line but his 6.9% walk rate was a career low.
Despite a less-than-perfect walk year, Bregman still came into free agency with a strong profile and justification to secure a strong deal. MLBTR predicted him for a seven-year, $182MM pact. Many observers expected him to return to the Astros and various reports indicated that the club made him an offer of $156MM over six years. Bregman and his reps, however, were looking to get to the $200MM plateau.
Today’s report indicates that some other clubs may have been willing to get into somewhat similar range as the Astros. It isn’t known which clubs made these offers or exactly how much money was on the table, but Bregman has been connected to teams like the Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers, Blue Jays, Mets and Phillies throughout the offseason.
Though that points to a decent market, it seems none of them were quite strong enough to get Bregman to put pen to paper. Though the Astros seemed to blink in their staredown with Bregman by acquiring Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker, recent reporting has suggested the club has kept its offer on the table and is still somewhat open to a reunion. Such a scenario would involve Bregman returning to the hot corner, Paredes going to second base and Jose Altuve to left field.
Whether that will end up happening or not likely depend on the other offers and if any club is willing to budge. If they are all somewhat similar and no club meaningfully separates itself from the pack, perhaps Bregman will choose to remain with the only club he’s ever known.
It’s also possible that some of Bregman’s suitors are no longer interested, even if they may have made strong offers earlier in the winter. The Tigers signed Gleyber Torres, reducing their need for an infield addition somewhat. They have remained engaged with Bregman but have reportedly hit a standstill. The Red Sox would perhaps have to move Rafael Devers to first base to fit Bregman in, making things awkward. Second base is more open at the moment but they may prefer to leave that spot open for Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer or Vaughn Grissom. The Blue Jays added Anthony Santander recently, who isn’t an infielder but should make the team less desperate for an offensive upgrade. The Mets and Pete Alonso are seemingly playing hardball with each other but could still reunite, though the Jays seem to be somewhat involved there as well. The Phillies appear to have tried to trade Alec Bohm in conjunction with pursuing Bregman but never seemed to gain much traction there. The Cubs seemed to only be interested if Bregman were willing to pivot to a short-term pact. Jon Heyman of The New York Post says today that the Cubs are “believed” to be showing “significant interest” in Bregman alongside the Astros, though with the Red Sox and Tigers also involved.
Though the offers haven’t been strong enough for Bregman to sign anywhere, it’s perhaps understandable why he hasn’t done a short-term pivot. That’s a path that many other free agents have taken, including Matt Chapman and Cody Bellinger last winter. But if Bregman has had somewhat decent offers in the five- or six-year range, perhaps he doesn’t feel the need to go that way just yet. Just over a week ago, Bregman’s agent Scott Boras said there interest on long-term deals has been strong enough that changing course wouldn’t be necessary, matching this week’s reporting.
Time will tell if Bregman circles back to Houston or ends up elsewhere. The Astros made him a qualifying offer at season’s end and would receive a compensatory draft pick if he signs elsewhere, while the signing club would be subject to the associated penalties. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just over two weeks.
Zzzzzzzz
Yeah “multiple” meaning two if you count the original Astros offer, which now seems to be quite on point for the level of interest in said player.
Pois – I think these reporters need to be told the story about “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”.
@poisoned
I think you’re not reading the writing on the wall. The Dodgers have a lot of big market teams woke from the smelling salt. The Dodgers aren’t just deferring money to avoid the lux tax. They are going to manage the deferred money over a 10-year span and grow it at a rate above depreciation. The Dodgers have, in fact, combined a sports team + an in-house private equity firm.
It may take a couple of years to catch up, but effectively, let me use your deferred money and allow us to invest it for you, and you’ll save a ton of money in the future. If I’m the Yanks, I’d gladly offer Bregman 5/$160 with $135 mil being deferred from 2035-45. Partner with a PE firm and grow that money. A modest 5% annual return will put more money in Bregman’s pocket and of he keeps a home in Houston he won’t have to pay NY taxes on it and it helps the Yanks limit their lux tax liability.
Awesome take @Poisened. The dodgers are ran by an equity firm. They will profit from the deferred money owed. Smart business always wins out
Bregman already sold his home in Houston.
Unfortunately, that’s not how income tax works.
@dombrow @pads
I meant, if he returned to live in Houston, or any other takes residence in any tax-free state.
To my interpretation, deferred money paid out evenly over a 10 year period could be considered retirement income and while they still have to contend with federal tax might not have to pay state income tax, or at least not California tax, if they are relocated by the time the deferments are paid out.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but site a source, please.
Certainly, if the deferred money is used as capital for investment, which 100% is what Guggenheim Partners will do, then a modest 5% ROI, would out pace the depreciation and net the Dodge players more money.
The dodgers are ran by an equity firm.
=======================
Anyone can invest the money. Index funds cost very little.
Does that even matter to someone with over 100 million in career earnings and about to increase that by 150-200%?
Of course, but the policing of it by MLB is the question here. No one is signing a deferred deal for a below PE return, hence Ohtani’s $46.6 per becomes $70M guaranteed and averaged at delivery date. Steve Cohen could easily do the same, he has personal hedge funds and almost 4X the net worth of Mark Walter!
I think one of the prime issues, though, is where/in what type of escrow the $$$ are sitting gathering interest. MLB and the players union both should rightfully be anxious to avoid another Bernie Madoff-type funding situation. MLB does also maintain a debt-to-asset ratio for teams, but I’m not sure we know what the penalty is for exceeding whatever that percentage is, or if there even is a penalty.?
Deferred salary is considered as earned where the games are played, the same as all player income. Signing bonuses are taxed differently. If the player wanted to save on taxes and lived in a zero state income tax state he would want a huge signing bonus, not deferred salaries at a higher total dollar.
Guggenheim Partners does not own the Dodgers. Guggenheim Baseball Management does. A completely different group of people.
If the player took the money now and invested it in an S&P 500 index fund he would make more than twice what he would by allowing the Dodgers or any team to place that money in an interest bearing account that is then placed in escrow until the deferred salaries are to be paid. It would also allow them to pay zero taxes on that money until the fund was sold. They could take loans against the value of that fund with the interest actually being a tax write off while still having the entire principal.
Actual rich people don’t take deferred money unless they are being paid interest on it and none of the players are getting interest on that deferred money. Only the team is reaping that benefit. .
If you invested $46.6 million in an S&P 500 index fund in 2014, it would be worth approximately $187.6 million today.
Ohtani is losing money by allowing the Dodgers to reap the benefits of investing that money instead of putting it in his pocket today and investing it himself.
Yes and no. But you’re on the right track. Obviously, if you take how interest compounds annually, the first year and each year of that contract that is deferred (i.e. the money put into an interest-bearing account) and the rest, including the last are for the sake of accounting, on paper, $70M.
But in reality the first year of the contract is worth $XXXM by the time the money is paid out and the last year (the year closest to the payout) is only $XXM, with the average of each of those years together at $70M.
Also, Ohtani is mitigating his risk of losing money through bad investment (or in his case, a crooked interpreter) by taking delivery of a guaranteed amount at a specific future date. Yes, markets go up and down all the time. No market has ever gone up-up-up.
The other interesting thing, which you almost alluded to in your previous post, is about rich people and deferred money, but for a different reason. Mark Walter is 65 now and will be 80 in 2040 (which is above US male life expectancy), where as Ohtani will be 43.
So Walter doesn’t really care about money that far in the future because he’ll be 80 and ostensibly moved on from team ownership by then., sold the Dodgers onward at a huge multi-billion dollar profit and the next group will own the team and its debts. It’s the same reason Steve Cohen wants to win now; when you’re on the back nine of life, you want to win while you can enjoy it.
Yes and no to you as well.
I agree with the top part. Equities are better than bonds over the long-run, but every portfolio probably contains some fixed income. And the 4.3% (?) he gets risk-free is not that bad.
This also gives him the opportunity to invest aggressively with the remainder of his income.
But in the last part, regarding the debts, the new owner will simply deduct the debts from the purchase price. And since the deferrals need to be funded annually, the debt won’t be that much.
Thanks! I did some digging, but could not find out how the MLB deferred money is physically handled. Does it go into an escrow account (like real estate transactions) with a fixed interest rate once it is funded by the club? Or what mutually-agreed destination does the money live in? Again, hearkening back to the Madoff situation, I’m thinking about annual “statements” saying “your account is worth XX dollars” except that it was just a piece of paper and the actual $$ were long gone.
Perhaps this is wishful thinking but I believe the Cubs might be the team that could match or potentially exceed the Astros standing offer of 6yrs/$156M for Alex Bregman.
Bregman is about 2 months younger than Cubs SS Dansby Swanson who inked a 7 yrs/$177M free agent contract two winters ago about 6 weeks before his 29th birthday. Bregman will turn 31 on March 3oth when all teams will have already began their 2025 season. The Cubs open their season the earliest along with the Dodgers on March 18th and 19th in Tokyo.
A Bregman contract similar to his current standing offer would line up well with Swanson’s deal. Like Swanson, Bregman is also a multiple winning Gold Glove infielder who is considered a better overall hitter, especially when it comes to making contact and drawing walks. Signing Bregman would give the Cubs an unprecedented 3 GG winning infielders along with 2B Nico Hoerner.
Additionally, the Cubs also feature 3 time GG winner Ian Happ in LF along with newly acquired Kyle Tucker who won a GG as Bregman’s Astros teammate in 2022. Arguably, the Cubs best defensive player is young CF Pete Crow-Armstrong who figures to be collecting his own trophy case of awards starting in 2025. Even the mighty Dodgers would be envious of a Cubs lineup featuring 6 GG winners. It might also be noted that Tucker happened to be one Bregman’s better friends in Houston.
Note: Nico Hoerner is still recovering from flexor tendon surgery on his right forearm on Oct. 11. He is currently in Arizona with other Cubs teammates participating in pre-spring training drills. He has yet to begin a full throwing schedule and was seen taking some grounders but only flipping balls underhanded to teammates.
It’s highly doubtful that Hoerner will be ready when the Cubs season begins early in Japan or even when they return stateside later in March. Most likely he will be limited well into April or even later. Fortunately, there should be no reason to rush Hoerner with top 2B/3B prospect Matt Shaw expected to compete for a starting gig in spring training along with the recent signing of versatile utility infielder Jon Berti. Adding Alex Bregman as a free agent could make Hoerner’s s recovery more cautious.
When Matt Shaw eventually claims a starting role with the Cubs he may be better suited defensively at 2B as opposed to 3B. His arm is not considered to be among his best tools. The keystone may be his ideal position which is yet another reason for the Cubs to consider Bregman as their long term solution at the hot corner.
Shaw’s potential fit at 2B might also be a reason why the Cubs seemed willing to dangle Hoerner in trade talks earlier this offseason. Now that 3B Isaac Parades has been traded to the Astros for Kyle Tucker, the position is once again wide upon for a long term solution which makes a Bregman signing even more sensible.
I don’t think the Cubs would consider 5/125+ on Bregman let alone exceed 6/156 – Bregman has a .795 OPS avr since 2020 and trending down in a RH hitters park. My guess is he takes whatever the Astros give him. He’ll be lucky to be a league average bat in 2-3 yrs.
Bregman is a “professional” hitter who also plays GG caliber defense at 3B. His affinity for contact and defense at 3B should age well over the next 5-6 years. Despite it’s smaller dimensions, Wrigley Field has become more a pitcher-friendly park recently due to colder spring weather accompanied by unfavorable winds along with too many early season night games. As a high contact, line drive hitter, Bregman is better suited to hit better in a cold Wrigley Field than most MLB hitters these days. He also has sufficient power to launch balls into the bleachers when the wind is blowing out on typically hot summer days.
Sir, you sound a bit like regurgitated AI , although that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You are conveying helpful information in a concise manner, no matter where it came from. In cases like that, sounding like a robot is no problem.
His agent is Boras notorious exaggerator. I’m sure Snell, Montgomery, Chapman and Bellinger all had multiple 5 year contract offers last year as well. Weird how none of them actually signed one though.
it’s spelled heyman, not alexander
Just sign with the Red Sox and put some dents in the Monster.
ron – No, they don’t need Story 2.0 as they’ve got too much young talent that shouldn’t be blocked by aging declining expensive veterans.
And based on the past three years, Bregman does nothing to help vs LHP.
I disagree. The money is irrelevant and relying on the rookies to actually perform to their hype is an unnecessary risk. If they don’t perform it puts Boston in a horrible position. Bregman is a clubhouse leader and can play a couple of positions. And at this point you need that. If the rookies outperform him, great. Payroll is so low they can live with his contract for the next 4-5 years.
kyre – It’s not a risk if the Sox aren’t planning to contend. Maybe they held down Teel, Campbell and Anthony last year because they were expecting to trade one of them and didn’t want to decrease their value, but they should have been called up and gotten their feet wet LAST year.
Now it looks like what the Red Sox said years ago is true, they will not try to win until at least 2026.
And payroll will be going up between ARB salaries and longterm extensions.
They gave Rafaela $50M last year, therefore Anthony could be expecting $100M and Campbell not too far behind.
They gave Bello a $55M extension last year, therefore Houck could be expecting $110M and Crochet could be expecting $180M.
So the payroll WILL go up even without Bregman.
The main issue at this point is the Sox still have not gotten the right handed bat that they seem to continue to insist is their offseason priority. I was assuming Bregman was very likely to be it, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. While he may not be ideal based on his age and some decline in his stats, I do think he would be a major step up from what they have gotten from Story, which is almost nothing. I hope the youngsters are as good as they are being hyped up to be, but have seen so many crash and burn when they reach the majors that I need to see it to believe it.
The only one that truly could have been called up was Anthony. Nobody calls up a catcher early except for extremely rare situations. And the outfield is overcrowded so it doesn’t work. I am not a fan of the Rafaela extension at all. Bello is a decent gamble. The extensions aren’t necessary yet and they don’t exist. So I stand by original comment. Sign Bregman. Worry about the money later.
Fever, I think you just hit the nail on the head. The Red Sox are not planning on contending any time soon. One in 5 top prospects become major league average and the Red Sox have already seen evidence of that with Casas and Rafaela who at their best have been MLB average players. So counting on any of the ones still in the minors to become superstars is not likely to happen.
He’s a player in decline and not worth $200 mil.
Agreed.
Bob – Kramer agrees with your agreeing.
I agree with Kramer’s agreeing with Bob’s agreeing.
He’s definitely not getting 200. He better take the 6/156 Houston is offering since it sounds like it’s still on the table.
Agreed. Add in the winning team, fan base who likes you, and the perk of no state income taxes and it seems like a great deal.
No doubt. Name your price to Tigers like 6/175 to not return to Houston. They probably say no thanks and he/Boras can crawl back to the original strong offer. Doubt he wants to go to last place Toronto if that’s the other team when he is used to winning unless they suddenly bid much higher.
Toronto might not be that bad if they also add bregman. Vlad was great last year, there’s no reason to believe bichette can’t rebound, tony taters is in his prime hitting 40 homers, and bregman as your fourth weapon ain’t no joke. Maybe springer bounces back to being a 2+ war guy. Their rotation isn’t terrible. And if Manoah were to recapture his form it’d suddenly be quite good. Obviously way too many things have to go right to pretend this team is primed to be a contender but the point is that those things individually are all probably more likely than not…The issue is that collectively that’s obviously not the case. But they can certainly be better than they were in ‘24. They could compete for a wild card with Bergman and Taters if a few things broke in their direction.
Plus they are in on Alonso as well
cws – I agree, it will likely be either Houston/Detroit/Boston as he has strong connections to all three teams.
Toronto are on the verge of signing Alonso so they are going to be a very good offensively unless this mean they will trade Guerrero for an absolute haul to the Mets!
Jays will sign Alonso & extend Vlad Jr
Boston is a perfect spot for 3B with the top 3 prospects pushing soon for other positions at a low cost….wasn’t sure they would top even Hou offer.
Devers would be 1B or DH. As the great Ric Flair said “You don’t have to like it, but you better learn to love it”.
The is the kinda deal the Tigers would do, reminiscent of the Baez deal
God, I hope not.
The articles linked to have said that more than $156 million, but over 5 years is on the table.
He’s not getting $200m
Bregman aint worth 5/150.
You are worth what the market is willing to pay you. The market is not willing him to give a total value of $200m
Teams might be willing to give him a total value between $130m-$150m.
More agent-generated hype? This is getting more toxic by the day…
Exactly. 2 teams offered low ball 5 yr contracts, plus the Astros offer that he rejected a long time ago.
No THIS is is getting more toxic by the day. You guys are obsessed with thinking writers aren’t going to do their jobs and certain players aren’t going to get their jobs.
Substitute the word annoying for toxic and maybe more will agree with the basic point.
If he had an offer he liked from a team he wanted to play for then he would put pen to paper.
Virus – Not necessarily.
Remember, it’s Boras …. he’s all about squeezing every last dime out of teams. Especially if he has the Astros offer as a safety net.
Agreed. But one would think a rational person would tell boras Hey I’m done I’m signing it
Virus – I’m guessing that will happen just before the Astros deadline to accept or not.
West Village
I don’t see why it is toxic. Agents pretend there is demand. Everyone knows there are some lies. Owners pretend winning is more important than profits. Everyone knows there are some lies.
Besides, knowing the length of the offer without the dollars or other terms is pretty meaningless even if it was true. Either enjoy the dance of lies or wait until the dance is over.
My take as well…this is all fake news trying to build leverage when they have none…those agents will try everything in their tool box to get someone to bite.
Richard – Teams generate fake news too.
BTW – Any relation to Luis? I remember him from his year in Boston.
This should be fairly simple and be coming to a conclusion soon. Because if Houston still has the 6/156 out there, like it sounds, then nobody can lowball him anymore. It’s beat that or resign with Houston.
dsett – Exactly, they have a safety net. And their fans are already upset about losing Tucker, they don’t want to lose two stars in the same offseason.
Nah, we they were never going to sign Tucker long term, and they got a good return, including our future 3B, so who needs Bregman for 5-6 yrs?
@Top 100. I tend to think everything you’re saying is true, but on the other hand, perhaps, just perhaps, you’re lying. Ahahahahaha!
Thank you for assuming that I can tell the difference.
@mlb
Why doubt it? If the Astros say their offer was still on the table and he hasn’t accepted it, then perhaps there are multiple offers to consider? These GMs aren’t allowed to really speak freely on who they are and aren’t in on but they likely know what’s going on.
Knicks
Because both sides say what suits their business interests, might be true and might not.
If you go to a yard sale and say that one dollar is the most that you will pay, when you are prepared to pay two dollars, that just does not bother my ethics. It is called negotiating.
I wonder what the return on journalist-spending these agents are calculating they will get.
Most journalists have limits. They will run stories for access, interviews and quotes, but don’t actually take cash bribes.
This feels like PHI is one of those — dropping a Bohm.
If they weren’t asking for the moon for Bohm , Bregman would of been here already
Either one of you guys know what they want for Bohm? I’m a Tigers fan and would be interested in them getting him. Philly is a pretty complete team (not Dodgers complete, but who is) and seems like they wouldn’t ask for the world if they really wanted Bregman.
Well Bohm has two years of control. My guess a bullpen arm and maybe a catching prospect thats coming up, Maybe a pitching prospect. I’d give Bregman a cheap deal maybe 3 years with opt outs.
Reportedly (Dec ’24), they asked SEA for one of Logan Gilbert or Kirby…
@dsett – It makes little sense for the Phils to give Bohm away on the cheap, if that is what you are thinking.
But then Casty came out and said Bohm is not being traded, He went to Dombrowski about it. If they weren’t asking for the moon. If Seattle wants him , I would ask for Munoz plus Arozerena and a prospect, Philly sends Bohm and a prospect.
No, I genuinely have no idea what they wanted and figure Phillies fans would have a better idea. I do know they wanted alot, but didn’t know what alot was. It’s hard for me because the Phillies don’t need much when looking at them on paper. Estevez and Hoffman leaving creates a hole there though, obviously.
They replace them with Romano & Joe Ross. They really needed a Tanner Scott. Maybe they can go get Kyle Finnegan.
Logan Gilbert was a first round draft pick, <.350 era….
Real good pitcher…
How does that help the Mariners? Are you kidding? You are obviously a Phillies fan but a trade has to HELP BOTH TEAMS. Our stopper? Who is pretty elite and controllable. Arozerena and prospect? Come on!!!
Who would seattle send back if the trade were to happen
I don’t think Seattle would move 3 years of Munoz, who is widely considered one of the better back-end arms in baseball, for only 2 years of Bohm. Even Arozarena has value at $12m in 2025. Brash and Arozarena may be more reasonable, but I also do not see Philly taking on two years of Arozarena. I’m thinking Brash and DMoore or Brash and Hancock for Bohm.
If I was philly I would be asking for a catching prospect who is knocking on the door for the majors. They need somebody to take over for Jt. Marchan is great but he hasn’t been healthy.
They told the As they wanted Mason Miller lolol.
They replaced them on the roster only, not in talent or likely production. The Phillies bullpen may be a real weakness this season.
top-6 in Cy…200 IP, one of the lowest WHIPs in MLB, 1st year arb-eligible and not a FA until 2028.
one of the most valuable arms in MLB based on how much those quality IP are priced at on the FA market. Stetson producing more studs.
They replaced Hoffman & Estevez with Romano & Joe Ross. If they could go get Kyle Finnegan
dsett – I can’t see the Phillies giving what Bregman wants. They are already $58M over the threshold, second highest only to the Dodgers. They don’t generate enough revenue to warrant going over $300M in payroll.
Maybe on a short term deal with opt outs
:Phil – The way Bregman has been trending, he probably won’t exercise an opt-out next offseason.
maybe a Bellinger type deal
@Saber, Yeah-I doubt DiPoto would even trade Woo for Bohm straight up, let alone a more dominant SP like Gilbert.
Thank God they did not find a taker. Bregman is an old declining player the last thing the Phillies need more of, plus he is an ass.
Imo they need better protection behind Bryce. The phillies are in WS mode. After the last two years in the playoffs. They need a change. I thought phillies fans were gonna get that but all they do is sign Kepler. The Luzardo trade was huge.
They’re probably at or past their planned budget ceiling. They are projected to have the second highest payroll in baseball currently. At some point the spending stops (unless you’re the dodgers) and you need to win with what you have.
I think they are gonna wait for next year for Kyle Tucker to play right field and move Casty to left. My other trade idea was to trade for mike trout
@Fan91 I don’t want to give up on the Trout thing, This is the downside on the Casty and Taijuan contract overreaches. Trout would reduce the CF offense issue even if he’s not out there every day to be exposed to breakage. Personally, I’m in favor of moving Castellanos to LF this season to accommodate superior Kepler’s RF defense. Casty’s defense has been far better than advertised but I want Max in LF.
Bohm-ian rhapsody?
There always has to be a couple stragglers, just sign the damn contract. Maroons! Ahahahaha!
NYC – The Maroons are 2-time Stanley Cup champions! Hahahahaha!!!
Fever, ahhhh how could I forget the Montreal Maroons, I stand corrected. Ahahahahaha!
I thought it was Maroon-5
Or is that macaroons?
maroon (plural maroons). (slang, derogatory) An idiot; a fool. Ahahahaha!
This is what AJ has been doing airing for to solve the holes in lineup!
I doubt he’s going to get anything that beats the 6 years Houston offered. So, if they’re saying that offer is still on the table, that’s probably gonna be the one he takes. Houston better start seeing if they can flip Paredes or even Cam Smith. Considering Bregman will be there for the next 6 years.
Rolls up paper…
Smacks him in the nose!
NO Dave – NO Dombrowski heel….
If the phillies could get him for cheap, He would be a good fit in Philly
Yeah, this whole theme of unloading two relatively cheap years of Bohm (an above average but flawed youngster) for 5 or 6 years of far too much money for an aging Bregman given the payroll and farm situation (Miller here within two years) just makes little sense to me.
If they got a bigger return for Bohm than expected then look at Bregman as his approach would be a nice fit but they would then imprison themselves with the payroll.
@cpdpoet,
I’ve always believed in treats-based training, but I get your point.
I would try, ‘leave it, leave it’, and when DD is under control you keep offering him treats while repeating the word, ‘yes!’
Works like a charm.
As someone who has always been trainable via a treats-based approach, I agree with your theory.
Here we go….agent trying to get Houston to up the offer. If he has them…sign.
Fake news, Boras’ paid agents at work creating leverage when they have none. Boras has every swinging sports writer in his pocket.
The writers are “swingers”?
Heyman and Rosenthal cruise and swing successfully in tight slacks at fox bars looking for hot foxes to take back to their swinging bachelor pad.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying Heyman and Rosenthal are wild and crazy guys, but that’s just me.
There are some dumb GMs out there.
Those Ivy League educated GMs sure are stupid.
Spinning wheels got to go round.
2 years or three max for Boston. So probably keep walking Alex
A whole lot of spin here. And not much in the way of specifics. A five year contract that’s really a 3 years spread out, or one with the type of deferrals that Santander. Not saying it couldn’t happen, and not to disparage the player, but risk-averse teams might be very cautious about length and AAV.
I actually have no idea where he is going to sign, but I have a feeling its not going to be the Astros or the Red Sox
as red sox fan I’m totally fine with that
Me too
I’m thinking Toronto is the only one desperate acting enough to match Houston with the 6 years and so far they haven’t. I think they might if they pivot from Alonso in time.
dsett – I’m still going Tigers. They have a window with Skubal, they made great progress last year, the time is now. And Hinch is a huge draw for Bregman.
I agree, but Harris/Ilitch are scared of multiple years for anyone apparently lol.
Not only is Chrissie afraid of a longer term contract, but Skubal is already as good as gone. He will go FA, for sure. Additionally, I wouldn’t sign Bregs to more than a 3 yr deal and preferrably 2.
Bet he’s gotten maybe one offer of 5 years. This is classic Boras BS.
Interesting, but without knowing the dollar amounts of his offers hard to know where his market stands. I do not expect this to be settled any time soon. Good chance this drags on well into spring training.
Fellow Tigers fan here, if the Houston offer of 6/156 is still there, like a couple articles have eluded to in the last 24 hours, then that’ll be the best offer he’ll get. So, it should be coming to a conclusion pretty quick. Because now it’s beat it or resign. Versus everyone thinking that offer wasn’t available anymore. I think I’d rather take the Bregman money and sign Flaherty, Grichuk and a back end reliever. Those 3 would cost more in ’25 than Bregman, but they have enough money to do that without the commitment to him. Then just give Vierling 3rd.
Would the tigers want Bohm?
Depends on what Philadelphia wanted from us. Detroit definitely has a need at 3B and Bohm would do well with his gap power in Comerica, imo. Comerica isn’t good for power, but isn’t bad for batting average and doubles and triples. Bohm isn’t a HR hitter anyway though and Detroit could use his 280 average. The 2 years wouldn’t hold up the youngsters coming up. We have Jung, but I think he’s expendable because he’ll be at 2B, imo. The problem is Harris is frugal af so definitely won’t come off the world for him. If that’s what Philadelphia wants. I don’t think it’s a wanting HR’s issue because Bregman isn’t a power hitter and our main target has been him.
The Tigers should be sending RP to the Dodgers for the excess pitching prospects the Dodgers now have. And Zyhir Hope!
Philly still needs a bullpen arm , maybe a catching prospect that is near major league ready. I think if Philly wanted to trade Bohm it would of happened already. They asked the A’s for Mason Miller. Thats too much , tigers got arms they can trade. If we trade Bohm , im sure there is a way they bring in Bregman on a short term deal with opt outs.
Harris and Illich are boringly conservative and are taking advantage of the fans…..
Definitely. If it’s not a 1 yr deal, they don’t want it
In a Tiger galaxy far far away…
A new hope
I would be interested in Bohm, but only for a BP arm and a couple of prospects in a the range of Tigers top 18-25.
I would like to add yet another: five years for $25.00 (twenty-five dollars) to maintain my lawn and clean up after my dog. Gee, I hope he accepts my offer!.
On the plus side, Bregman brings his own trashcan for the dog cleanup, so that’s handy.
Bergman does not go on the grass, he remains in the dirt
He should take the Red Sox or Tigers as they are the best fits. Question is if they made offers how long are they good for?
I’m guessing Detroit is one of those who offered 5 years. They wanted to make 1 big splash after last season. If Houston still has the 6 year offer out there, he better take it cuz I don’t think anyone else is matching it.
Since Day 1, I have been hoping the Tigers do NOT sign the Bregs.
I’m still scratching my head why and how he turned down an outstanding $156M offer from his hometown team? He doesn’t have to uproot the family, plays for one team his whole career, doesn’t have to go through this circus and all the uncertainty involved. Seemed like a slam dunk. Does Boras always have the best interest of his clients in mind? Doesn’t seem like it the last couple of years.
Why do assume that those things are important for Bregman to avoid? He made a choice to go into free agency by choosing Boras, a man with a longstanding reputation, to represent him. Ask Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, and Juan Soto if he has their best interest in mind. The market is dynamic and it’s a game of musical chairs sometimes. Right now the music is still playing.
The market is dynamic and it’s a game of musical chairs sometimes. Right now the music is still playing.
=====================
But with fewer chairs.
Bregman will end up returning to Astros as he and his agent stupid as it gets! $26 million avv over 6 yrs is life changing money especially forca player on the wrong side of 30!
He has already made $100M in past salaries. I doubt the next contract is going to make any drastic changes in his life.
Yankees Bleacher Creature
Bergman has already made good money. And I am confident that are a dozen teams that would offer him well over two years at $25 million per year. So, he will have “life changing money” no matter what. This is just about the details.
My point is he has already earned “life-changing money”. For the majority of people in Bregman’s bracket, more just means diminishing returns. Maybe he wants a $25MM Gulfstream jet or yacht. That’s his prerogative and he’s certainly entitled to earn one or five if he has the ability to do so.
YBC
I thought it was clear that on this, I am agreeing with you.
Except for the jet part, he might want a G800 rather than a G280 so it will cost triple that..
For me to gambe $1,000 to get an extra couple hundred dollars would be risky. For Bregman to gamble on getting a little more is no big deal.
The guy posting on a board who cannot spell is smarter than the highest paid agent in the world?
Bregman grew up in new mexico, went to college at LSU…ultimately played in Houston..why do people try and tag the first place someone plays as a pro as thier “hometown”? Home is where you hang your hat and other than a job this guy probably has no home town loyalty to houston..just like any of us hes going to move anywhere for the offer he cant refuse . Good for him nobody should ever have to settle in life
I’m friends with a married couple who are both work from home high-earners and have accumulated an 8-figure net worth with no kids. They’ve always rented nice homes and leased their cars. They’ve been contemplating buying a house. I asked “why would you?” Unless local community involvement and laying down family roots while creating memories for kids you don’t have are important to you, keep living the stress-free, nomad life.
Bregman sold his home in Houston and bought a house in Albuquerque, his actual hometown. He also invested in a baseball academy there and in racehorses, something his family has done for generations in New Mexico. There are photos of him and Reagan at the All American Futurity in Albuquerque this year. I think one of his horses was running that day and the All American has the highest purse of any race in the US for 2 year old horses.
Pretty sure that just because he moved back to his hometown that he won’t sign with the Albuquerque Isotopes.
That there is some frothy clickbait
If he’s getting 5 year offers, he should take one of them now. If teams were going to offer more, they would have done it by now.
Sure Boras, sureeeeee…
Sure, Scott, we believe you.
Did I really read that last line about Altuve playing LF if HOU brings Bregman back?! I can’t imagine him having good range out there. Seems like Paredes would be a better fit in the outfield, no?
If Bergman comes back, Paredes will get traded again. You heard it from me.
Bregman 2022: 23 homers, 93 runs, 93 RBI’s, .366 obp.
2023 (age 29): 25 homers, 103 runs, 98 RBI’s, .363 obp.
Had a bad year in 2024, especially his dropoff in walks and increased Chase. But also dealing with bone chips in elbow. And second half 17 homers. Still a dropoff, but many star players have recovered from down years at age 30 to go on to have multiple strong years. For the Red Sox, David Ortiz is one example. Derek Jeter for the Yankees. Sox need a reliable infield glove and right handed bat. Bregman is three years younger than Arenado and no back issues. And a strong clubhouse leader, or at least that’s what everyone says.
He makes absolutely no sense for the Red Sox. They have a wave of youngsters who will need playing time and they’re not realistically in a position to compete with the Yankees and orioles this year. You do need to find a way to get the kids at bats. Look at the orioles, they had to trade away hays to get at bats for Cowser and then let Santander walk to find at bats for Kjerstad and Mayo. The Red Sox vey much need to follow the orioles blue print and not repeat their mistakes (they let Kjerstad languish at the big league level not finding him at bats and sending him down and bringing him back up to sit, there’s no way a kid can succeed under those circumstances).
Danu, the Red Sox disagree with you. When they made the trade for Crochet they said that their goal is to contend for East title this year. Bregman helps them do that.
And all that in a massively hitter-friendly park. His numbers are going the wrong way. For his sake, and for other teams’ fans, please stay in Houston.
Mystery Team, to drive up the price!!
Need another Heyman post with a mystery team involved, and Boras has Bregman’s name in the baseball chatter again.
Just a gut feeling.. I think he gets his 5 or 6 years but not with Houston. May the shadow of Profar and Burnes be with you.
3 teams at 5 years or more?? I hope one isn’t Boston unless it’s 5 years 50 million… no thanks….
“Connected to a player”, means that a clueless reporter/writer’s make believe trade scenario. I don’t want the guy. Go to the f******g Met’s.
Who gives a f****!
On April 5th, Borras will be sitting on the lawn at the Ann Arbor Campas wondering what went wrong last Offseason!
Yeah, kinda not buying this. And kinda not buying the standing HOU offer either. If all these offers were/are actually out there, he would’ve signed by now. A 30 year old declining player isn’t walking away from 5 years and $100M+.
He should go back to Houston. Whatever other fan base gets stuck with him they won’t like it. If hes a hired gun will the fans be okay with it ? I pray he stays in Houston.
I call BS. And if true, probably not from the teams he wants to hear from or the dollars aren’t there. Either way, I don’t think he’s going to get what he wants.
altuve in left field just doesn’t seem like a realistic scenario in any case.
Multiple offers says Boras his agent. Doubtful.
Still no mention of Nats; very sad
Probably Boston but he doesn’t want to play second base really so that means Devers has to move or go DH and he doesn’t want to be that guy. And the offer isn’t exactly what he wants anyway and he’s only entertaining it because it Alex Cora and then he’s not sure if he wants that stigma of working with him again and the whole cheater thing coming back to life. I wouldn’t either. Then there’s Toronto. But it’s Canada. And they are just offering everyone a contract but they aren’t exactly his cup of tea …. He really just wants Houston to step up.
I’m a sox fan and want no part of Bregman but literally every report out there says that Bregman is willing to move to 2B.
Leave it to Bor-A$$ to push for every dime. Bregman’s gonna be left out in the cold if he doesn’t make up his mind.
If he doesn’t sign with the Red Sox, I will be shocked. He’s declining & Boston’s field is perfectly designed for declining RH hitters.
Redsox do NOT need him
Please not boston…dont need him
Sure he has
Another player who’s trying to milk a career off bloated 2019 stats. He’s a fine player, just not nearly worth what he thinks he is. Hopefully no team caves to his out of whack dreams.
For the record, Alex Bregman has been a model of consistence beyond his “bloated” 7.9/8.9 WAR seasons of 2018/2019.
After the abbreviated 2020 COVID season, he has still managed WAR’s of 4.6/4.9/4.1 with last season’s lower mark impacted by fewer games played and his right elbow bone spur issue that was cleaned up with a November surgical procedure. Despite the throwing arm issue, Bregman still managed to win his first Gold Glove award at the hot corner after posting solid defensive numbers throughout his career. His cause was also helped with the decline of perennial GG winner Nolan Arenado who has also been made available this offseason as a Cardinals trade candidate.
Bregman also managed to secure some down ballot MVP votes in both 2022 and 2023.
Which is why so many teams have lined up to give him a massive multi-year deal. Oh wait…
Career OPS at Safeco is pretty good.
Mariners extend the payroll budget and make a splash!
Time is running out. Scott Boras will have to work especially hard to turn Bregman’s several multi year offers into a 1 year “prove it” deal, like he did for Cody Bellinger.
It might take until May or June, but Boras has a pretty good track record of turning multi year offers into 1 year offers. If you doubt this, just ask Jordan Montgomery.
Probably the Dodgers looking to improve their bench.
And Boras swings and misses yet again, but he doesn’t care because he’s still getting 5% of something….
Boras is toxic as an agent and as a person.
I am calling BS (Boras SH#$) on these reports. Any team now offering a 5 year deal with an AAV over 25M is stupid. Bregman and Alonzo both had the chance to sign with their old clubs for more money than they are going to get now and it falls 80% on the players and 20% on Boras for believing they could get more. Greed has a funny way of coming back to bite you sometimes.
so mediocre in 2032 that Red Sox played in ALCS. that year.. so that blows up your SIXTH stright mediocre years theory for the team. (:
………….and the PATHETIC Redsox will most likely swing & miss again. A Front Office full of cheap, out-of-touch putz’s.
Fenway Frank ……Lets hope so… they don’t need an over 30 declining player for high dollars at 6 or 7 years term when they have Campbell (the #4 prospect in all of baseball) to plug in to 2B…. and they can take all that money saved and allocate it to sign Duran, Crochet to extensions.
Sagacity…….Mayer can play Third, Campbell can play third, Story can play Third…. they don’t need to sign Bregman to a 5 to 7 year deal…. WASTE of Money.
I would be on board with brining in Bregman if it was a 3 year deal with opt outs after the 1st and 2nd year… otherwise….. hard pass.
I call BS! Boras is FOS and SUS, Multiple offers of 5 and 6 years…come on dude lol. Give me a break. You’re screwing your client, his best fit is The Redsox for $, years, Potential rings and HOF bids. He knows that, you know that, Boston knows that too. Let’s get it done and if he opts out after a monster year in 25 or 26 fine he can test the real market then. But no there’s not a bunch of contracts lol sorry Scotty nobody’s beaming you up…
Call BS all you want but if Bregmn wanted a short term deal he’d have signed. And regardless of what you say Bregman is a terrible fit long term for the sox
Lol, no he doesn’t.
Must be true if it’s on Trade Rumors
Yeah, right
Sure he did. Yawn.
Bregman is a major upgrades for all 4 teams, he should get a least what the Astros offered now!
Altuve to Left Field????? OK buddy. Who writes this crap???
Altuve has been just plain bad at 2B on defense. A -49 DRS over the past 3 seasons. That is the worst in MLB on defense. fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&qua…
Moving him to LF would not hurt him or the team offensively and it would allow the Astros to move Paredes to 2B. It also fills the hole in the OF for the Astros with a player that they can’t trade.
This is a nothing-burger.
We know the Astros offered him 6 years, meaning only two other teams offered him 5. And we have no idea what that 5 included. I’d be shocked if there wasn’t at least 5-10 teams willing to offer him, say $100M/5.
We also don’t know if the Astro offer is still on the table. Boras could easily have asked the Astros to drop that line out of respect for Bregman’s time with the Astros.
No he hasn’t Scott. That’s BS and ya know it.
You’re forgetting Bleis, Arias, Sablin, Dobbins, Pereales, Cespedes, Cason…we just traded 4, Sox are Loaded on the farm still. This may be the beat system the RS have ever had in any year talent wise. The Redsox need health above everything else, there’s 13 pitchers and 13 position players and that’s it…we have depth everywhere but C.
Boras has always been a BS Artist. If he had a 5 year offer he would have grabbed it already. Team must hate dealing with Scott Boras. I never forgot what he did to the Red Sox with Teixera back in 2009.
The Phillies should offer him 5 years 120mil.
It won’t be the highest offer, but a competitive one. Phillies were one of the first teams with mutual interest to speak with him, as they were shopping Alec Bohm in December. Even if they were unable to trade Bohm, and Bregman did accept less money to play in Philly for team capable of winning the WS, they would still find AB’s for everyone. Bregman could play some 2B vs. LHP and Bohm would get AB’s at the corners, especially if Harper gets more DH games. They acquired the SP they were looking for and could always reopen discussions with Seattle. This time ask for Andres Munoz instead of Gilbert or Kirby, as the Mariners have to be a little desperate at this point. Bohm for Munoz is a fair one for one swap, in my opinion. Philadelohia was definitely on Bergman’s radar at one point so why not take a shot.
Bregman is going to get booed by a lot of fans next year after he re-signs with Astros.
Why hasn’t he taking one of them? In the $cott Bora$ universe reports of multiple offers may be filled with Bora$ trademark “mystery teams” or the number might not be what he presented as through his media leaks..
Tigers should offer $20M this year +$10M signing bonus with a 6 year $29M/year team option and player opt outs every year.
Let him know the Tigers can not afford this contract and have no intention of keeping him. Let him showcase at 3rd base. Let him showcase at 2nd base. Full waiver of any no trade clause rights. Trade him for a top prospect.
A TRUE PROVE IT CONTRACT.
$204M @ 7 years….mission accomplished!
Hire the Superfife, already.
$20M + $12M signing.bonus +6 years @ $28M/year?
Yep. If the owners of the Detroit Tigers weren’t so “economically prudent”, they would trade for Arenado too!
Economically prudence is all Tiger fans have to look forward to. That, and more sadness.
Didn’t hire the Superfife. Now who’s gonna pay the bar bill???? CABs