Three potential landing spots for Alex Bregman

Third baseman Matt Chapman’s six-year, $151M extension with the Giants may have set the market for Alex Bregman in free agency.

The two players are similar. Bregman is a year younger at 30 years old and broke into the majors a year before Chapman. While Chapman is the superior defender (70 runs saved at third compared to Bregman’s 28), Bregman has been more productive offensively (132 OPS+ to Chapman’s 118). Bregman has been slightly more valuable thus far, with 39.6 bWAR compared to Chapman at 38.4 bWAR, but he also has that additional year of service time. 

Bregman had a solid 2024 for the Astros, although it was one of the worst seasons of his career. He produced a .260/.315/.453 batting line in his 634 plate appearances, hitting 26 homers and 30 doubles. According to FanGraphs, Bregman is considered the third-best free agent, one of the best third basemen in the game whose defense does not get enough credit.

Bregman is set to receive a significant payday. Let’s take a look at three possible landing spots.

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are in a difficult spot with Alex Bregman. They are an aging team at the end of their window of contention with the worst farm system in the game. 

The Astros were clear that signing Bregman to a long-term extension was a priority. Although the extension did not come to fruition, the Astros could have an advantage as Bregman was given a qualifying offer. Teams may not want to part with the draft pick and the financial cost of bringing Bregman on board. Likewise, Minute Maid Park is an ideal fit for the third baseman. He could easily stay in Houston.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers went on an impressive run over the final two months of the regular season, leading to an unexpected playoff berth. The hard part is now ahead – continuing to contend for the postseason.

Bregman would go a long way toward that goal. Detroit’s third basemen were mediocre at best offensively in 2024, posting a combined .242/.301/.371 batting line with 25 homers. There is also a degree of familiarity as Tigers’ manager A.J. Hinch was Bregman’s skipper during his first four years in Houston. Hinch was also the Astros manager during Bregman’s two All-Star seasons as well, a possible added incentive to head to Detroit.

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees had been linked to Bregman during the 2024 season as the Astros got off to a slow start. The Astros getting hot as the Mariners collapsed ended those thoughts for the time being.

Third base had been a sore spot in the lineup before the Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm. However, Chisholm’s best position is second base, a position that is potentially open since Gleyber Torres is a free agent. While there is still plenty of animosity among Yankees’ fans due to the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, that would disappear if Bregman helped lead the Yankees to a championship.