Astros general manager Dana Brown spoke with reporters at this week’s Winter Meetings. Most notably, the second-year baseball operations leader emphatically shot down speculation about the possibility of moving star third baseman Alex Bregman.
“We’re not interested in trading him,” Brown said (video provided by Chandler Rome of the Athletic). “I think Alex knows that and understands that based on our conversations, so I’m not worried one bit about the articles and the rumors. At the end of the day, Alex is a pillar here. … We’re trying to win here.”
That’s a rather firm rejection of any suggestion the Astros could look to deal the two-time All-Star before his final season under contract. Bregman will make $28.5MM next year and hit free agency going into his age-31 campaign. Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote over the weekend that while the Houston organization wasn’t optimistic about the chances of another extension, they had no intention of trading him.
With Houston still firmly in win-now mode as they battle with the World Series champion Rangers (and perhaps the Mariners or Angels) atop the AL West, it’s an understandable course of action. Bregman remains an excellent player, hitting .262/.363/.441 with 25 home runs while appearing in 161 games last season. While his production has dropped from his MVP finalist level of 2018-19, he’s still one of the sport’s best third basemen.
Brown also discussed a few other matters. He noted the club received a fourth minor league option on right-hander Forrest Whitley (via Rome). The one-time top prospect is apparently being moved to relief, as he’ll compete for a bullpen spot in Spring Training. Brown indicated a few months ago that Houston would seek an additional option on Whitley, who has missed extended time in the minor leagues because of various injuries and a 2018 suspension for a violation of the drug program. Whitley has yet to make his major league debut despite being on the 40-man roster since 2020.
Upgrading the relief corps still seems a priority for a front office that saw each of Hector Neris, Ryne Stanek and Phil Maton hit free agency. Brown reiterated that bolstering the bullpen and adding a backup catcher remained offseason goals, although he hinted he might be cautious on the relief front. “I’m not interested in overpaying in the relief market,” he told the Houston beat (relayed by Brian McTaggart of MLB.com).
I don’t understand why anybody wouldn’t want Alex Bregman at nearly $30 million, mere pocket change. If he could crank out 5 WAR or more I suppose it would be worth it.
Hate to break it to you, but I’m pretty sure there’s at least a few guys out there that can give you 5 WAR at a much lower price. Bregman is also aging. I’ll pass.
Honestly, it’s hard to tell.
He’s 29 and there would be at least ten teams which would buy 5 bWAR for $30MM next season. Juan Soto had a 5.5 bWAR last season for some perspective.
Last season WAR 4.3., Outs above average zero, Runs prevented above average zero, Throwing errors 11 compared to an average of 3 in the previous 4 years.
He is declining and whilst still very good, he needs to be traded while Astros can get a worthwhile return.
Pena to 3rd, Dubon to shortstop and move on.
You lost all credibility by suggesting that Dubon should be the shortstop and Pena 3B. Dubon has very little range and a very weak arm. How on earth does that make him a shortstop? Pena is very good at shortstop and his offensive output is nowhere near what is expected from a corner infielder.
I’m not suggesting the Astros do this, but if you do trade Bregman and you must put one of those guys at third, it’s going to be Dubon. Peña is one year removed from a gold glove
“No interest in trading Bregman”..That’s what GMs say right before they trade you.
I’ve long believed nobody is untouchable (provided they’re eligible to be traded). I mean, if the Braves were offered their pick of any 7 Orioles, MLB or farm, for Acuna, they’d do it. Not that the Orioles would make such an offer, of course.
As for Bregman, I get why they’d keep him, but if they have a rough start to the season, he’ll be moved at the deadline. It would be a favor to him, too, as it would remove the draft pick compensation.
More like no one wanted Bregman so he’s the pillar now. Have to rebuild stock
No, less than 15 to 20 teams would gladly take him. He had another great year this year, so I’m unsure what stock he needs to rebuild.
What do we think Bregman would command on the open market as a 31 year old, playing to nearly 5 WAR and durable?
I think he could get a minimum of 5 years/$150M right now, maybe someone could talk him down to 4 years/$120M or he could talk someone into 6 years/$200M, but basically he’s worth about $30M a year for 4-6 years after this contract ends. Weird that the Astros haven’t just tacked on 5 years/$150M to his deal and called it a day.
“I think he could get a minimum of 5 years”
…Overall, Alex Bregman is MUCH better than 3bman Matt Chapman and Chapman will likely get at LEAST 5/150M. I tend to agree with your analysis.
I agree that Bregman is better. I don’t agree that Chapman’s getting at least a 5/150 as that’s a $30MM AAV.
No way Chapman gets thirty million a year…
Five years averaging twenty million a year is possible and even averaging twenty-two million a year is possible.
“No way Chapman gets thirty”..I’m not saying I would pay him or recommend paying him 30M a year, I’m saying the free market will likely result in him getting that. Baseball inflation is crazy. I know it’s not a direct comp, but when Lance Lynn, arguably the worst MLB pitcher in 10+ years, can get an 11M guarantee coming off his horrid last season, anything is possible.
“No way Chapman”..I got lost on my original point actually. I need to correct myself. I was originally mainly suggesting his guarantee will be 150M+ and the trend these days is spreading it out over many, many years to lower the aav. So it’s likely his guarantee will EASILY surpass 150M+, but not necessarily 30M AAV. I think most players are more concerned with the guarantee not the AAV.
Yet Jeff Luhnow can’t get a job at Whataburger. Something isn’t right in the world
Luhnow owns a professional soccer team.
That angry elf isn’t going anywhere.
I can see Bregman staying to start the season but do feel if he isn’t doing well and Astros are trying to compete with Rangers or Seattle at least in some fashion they will send him off.
I am shocked kept the hitting coaches/pitching coaches but Espada they are all he knows.
So why change anyone with team. HE says Houston will go to WS for years to come.
Unless Rangers drop off face of earth they might still be in it next season. Depends on Sherzer and what he has. And if get some strong pitching or bullpen or something.
But Houston will probably be on outside looking in after these meetings. Figured all would do is disspell rumors on Bregman at them.
But I still see many question marks for this upcoming season with Pitching/Hitting and some of the players. Just because Baker is gone I don’t think players or pitchers will rebound completely if at all
Another Boras 3B client with WS title(s) in hand like Rendon and Bryant. He can provide natural diminished returns on a huge guaranteed deal to another team looking to make a “splash”.
Boras is going to promote all-world Bregman as having Pete Rose fire with a Brooks Robinson glove. Bregman is a glossy turd, but someone will fall for Boras’ crap.
Always liked Alex, good defender, lots of leadership qualities, and with the exception of the past couple of years, an excellent bat. That being said, I’ve grown tired of seeing our super players leaving and Houston getting nothing except a draft choice. I would be for trading Alex now and getting a boatload of prospects back to fill up the farm system. Crane is never going to pay any of his players who reach 30 plus in age any more money then $20 mill a year. It would be wise to see if they can tie up King Tuk as well or start entertaining moving him as well. The farm system is running dry.
I agree with some of this assesment. Crane isn’t going to spend and more. If we had different ownership instead of relying on Crane and Bagwell on who to spend on even though GM Dana Brown to me not sure if he is being able to make right deals etc. I liked Luhnow and some of the stuff he accomplished until the incident. But myself I would agree on trading Bregman. Get some talent back you can fill up your minor leagues. I see Whitley they said would be bullpen now after all his injuries. Spencer there will he have a shot and Dirden was also mentioned of things around with the Astros. Just with articles have seen on Astros site and here. I know Framber, Tuck were ones talked on extending. Altuve are they going to give him a lifetime deal. Bregman will be lucky if finishes this season with Houston or lands elsewhere sooner. He was hurt a couple years ago and to me just has not bounced back to where everyone says was going to be. Same even for Meyers in Outfield. Hurt his shoulder crashing into wall during playoffs or WS not sure. He hasn’t recovered. I just hope with all the talk that Houston is not on outside looking in. Rangers will have Sherzer but will he be 100 percent. Montgomery they did have will they retain him or what. Angels probably depends on where Ohtani goes. He can’t pitch this season ahead. But what will his hitting be. I don’t think Houston should go out for these 10 to 12 year deals at 500 million or such but sure would like to have some asset players. I do not know how much more Altuve will go and Tuck not sure on him. I am concerned on Brown and France as well in our rotation as well as Pena at SS. Will Abreu rebound at first. A lot we will have to replace in next year or two I think if things do not pick up.
“With Houston still firmly in win-now mode as they battle with the World Series champion Rangers (and perhaps the Mariners or Angels)”
Please do not include LAA when listing ALW favorites.
The list of players that teams have no interest in trading must be longish
I wonder if the Cubs offered Mervis and Morel would that Astors change their mind?
Well, this is the first mistake of the off-season. Bregman should be traded today. Hunter Brown, Myers and Bregman should get us a decent return to fill some of our gaps. The fact that Crane is too mean to spend – despite the millions that the recent years have generated – tells me that the Astros are heading on a downward slope.
Your takes are just bad. Crane is “too mean to spend?” You need to look into how the luxury tax threshold works in mlb. Astros are up against it and it has significant negative implications if they break it.
Then you also suggest trading a young, successful starting pitcher. For what? He’s cheap and much better than any return he would net.
“Crane too mean to spend”..The on-field results of the last 6-7 yrs(what 6 or 7 str8 ALCS appearances) suggest Crane has made the right “spending” decisions. It’s amazing how naive many people are thinking all you have to do is “spend” in MLB to be successful. What’s your opinion on the Mets & Padres “spending” BIG, only to CRATER and find out there’s a lot more to team-building than just “spending”.
Financially illiterate people like to spend other people’s money and/or don’t wish to comprehend that well run teams want to give themselves room to pay many players well while they are in prime years to sustain overall team success.
Usually billionaires become billionaires because they are astute with their money
Unless you own the Mets of course.
I think my tertiary qualifications put the ‘financially illiterate” tag to bed. I am not suggesting we should throw money at everything that moves (ala Steve Cohen) but Crane’s reluctance to go a dollar over the luxury tax cap speaks volumes.
If he was prepared to spend, say, $40m over the cap this coming season, it would incur a tax of a bit less than $13M. That is nothing in the context of overall costs, but would enable Brown to at least negotiate with something in his pocket whilst trying to bolster the roster.
I’m thinking you must not realize the Astros have been to either 6 or 7 str8 ALCSs, including 2 World Series wins. If you were saying this about any of at least 8 or 9 other teams, you might have a point. But when you say it about a team that’s won 2 World Series and been to 7 str8 AL Championship rounds, you sound like you either have an axe to grind against Crane, or are just a complete fool that knows almost nothing about MLB.
He is a fool/tool, that doesn’t understand baseball or the entirety of the luxury tax penalties. It’s not just about money anymore, it also has an effect on the draft (which is more valuable than money to billionaires). But hey, he used big words to try and let everyone know how smart he is!
“More valuable than money to billionaires”..Nothing is more “valuable” to billionaires than money my friend. That’s what makes them billionaires.
True, but I mean in this scenario. Draft capital is another form of currency.
They aren’t going to trade him while they’re in full competitive mode. They’ll either extend him for the rest of his career next winter or let him walk after a QO.
I think he’s going to be asking for more than Houston is willing to pay him. I also don’t think he will get his asking price on the open market.
Altuve will be last man standing from 17