Earlier this month, Alex Bregman was awarded a Gold Glove for his defense at third base. He has been an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and a World Series champion, but this was the first Gold Glove of his nine-year career. The honor was well deserved. According to Baseball Savant, Bregman set new career highs in Outs Above Average (OAA) and Fielding Run Value (FRV). The metrics at FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus agree he was the most valuable defensive third baseman in the American League. Yet, Bregman’s agent Scott Boras revealed at the GM meetings this week that multiple teams have asked about his client’s willingness to move to second base – and Boras confirmed that Bregman would indeed be willing to make the change (per Bob Nightengale of USA Today).
It’s not necessarily surprising that Bregman would be amenable to switching positions. Extra versatility will only make him more appealing as a free agent. The more suitors he can attract, the more money he can command. Similar reports came out this week about fellow top free agent Willy Adames, a talented shortstop who would be willing to move to second or third base on the right deal. Moreover, it’s not as if Bregman would be completely new to the keystone. He played a handful of games at second base in each of his first three MLB seasons. He also has plenty of experience at shortstop from college and his early professional years.
What is slightly more surprising is the fact that teams would be interested in Bregman playing second base in the first place. He’s a good enough hitter that his bat could play anywhere around the diamond, but he is an experienced third baseman coming off the best defensive season of his career. It’s hard to imagine his glove would be quite as valuable at a new position – nor would his bat necessarily play any better at second base. Historically, second base has been a weaker offensive position than third, but the gap has nearly disappeared over the last two years. From 2023-24, second basemen have produced a .308 wOBA. Third baseman have put up a .309 wOBA in that time. Finally, there is more competition on the free agent market at second base than third. Adames and Ha-Seong Kim can play both positions, but each has more big league experience at second. In addition, two of MLBTR’s top 50 free agents are primary second basemen: Gleyber Torres and Hyeseong Kim. Bregman is the only primary third baseman on our top 50 list.
On the other hand, Bregman has never had a good arm for a third baseman. What’s more, it’s quite possible he would have been a second baseman all along if it weren’t for Jose Altuve blocking the position in Houston. Considering Bregman’s arm looked weaker than usual in 2024 (and that he just had surgery on his throwing elbow), perhaps some of his suitors think he’ll be a better defender at second base in the long run. Alternatively, they might just be hedging their bets in case his elbow problems linger into next season.
Regardless, Bregman continues to be most strongly linked to Houston this offseason. GM Dana Brown told reporters (including Jon Heyman of the New York Post) at the GM Meetings that he thinks the Astros have “a really good chance” of re-signing their homegrown star. In that case, there is no doubt he would resume his duties at the hot corner in 2025. Altuve is coming off another All-Star season at second, and the face of the Astros franchise is under contract for another five years and $125 million.
Not now that he won a GG at 3B… definitely in the future.
He got the GG this year, because Chapman moved to the NL. His performance was always overshadowed, and was blocked by Chapman.
Agreed but third baseman. typically get paid more. It’s nice to know for the future but who is paying him more to play second?
This is Scott Boras controlling the media with fake interest in his player. It’s artificial competition for the Astros. Now instead of just teams needing 3rd basemen, now they have to compete with teams needing 2nd basemen. Of course no teams actually exist; unless you count interest from the infield-needy Chippewa Warthogs.
Seriously take off the tinfoil hat. Boras are any other agent is not going to waste their time with such petty futile actions nowadays. Today’s front offices are well aware of what the market is and who their competition is.
As for shifting to 2B, yes he’s likely to do so to increase potential suitors and increase his value. Most people want to maximize their value and earn as much as possible on their careers.
The Mariners need a third baseman AND second baseman. Can Bregman be cloned or does he have a twin brother? Can he play both positions at the same time? If he can do we have to pay him double? See how it gets complicated?
It does not get complicated at all, position players do not get paid double for ability to play multiple positions. In some cases the flexibility is one of the players strengths and increase their value a bit. Here it opens up possibilities for a few teams. And last few seasons 2B has been rather weak in free agency.
I believe he was meaning having the cloned Bregman playing second while the real Bregman plays third. Both on the field at the same time.
I’m aware what he likely meant. I find that as an odd extreme to go to for a player stating he’d be willing to switch positions if needed.
I know the Tigers have some good young infielders, but I’m sure AJ Hinch would love to have Bregman on his roster again. The question is: Will Tigers ownership take on a big salary? An experienced, middle of the lineup would help Detroit out a lot…
He is trending down and anything beyond 2 year offer from the Tigers is a resounding no in my book. Someone giving him a 6 year deal is lunacy.
He is getting more than Matt Chapman so I guess the whole league is lunacy.
In the long run, we are all trending down.
@Landini He hit for roughly same avg had a few more HRs and doubles yet played in 16 less games than 2023. So in 2024 he in no way trended down.
When park effects are taken into effect he would continue to trend down.Looking at home runs, Comerica reduced homeruns by 8% while Houstons home park increased them by 16%. Bregman has been trending downward for the lat few years plus is coming off wrist surgery, if I am not mistaken. We (Tigers) should pass.
More likely we see the Tigers spend now that Trump has been re-elected. This will open up payroll for most teams.
Im going to regret asking this but what in the blue hell does the President of the United States have to do with anyone’s payroll?
What does the election have to do with it?
If Harris had won, they would be more “liberal” with payroll.
That’s ridiculous.
I see what you did there even if others didn’t Sty lol
“Boras confirmed that Bregman would indeed be willing to make the change [to second base]”
Which in Borasese translates as “Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets, please make us an offer.”
Not Yankees, we have Jazz. Bregman would stay at 3B if we signed him (which we won’t because of trash cans).
The Yankees signing Bregman and trading for Josh Naylor to fill our there infield would be very funny
Not the Sox, either. They have David Hamilton and Vaughn (the next Pedroia) Grissom.
Hamilton should be traded as his value may never be higher.
Exactly !!
Just like they didn’t sign Marwin Gonzalez !!
we signed him to a minor league deal after he had already done his penance by having to play for the Twins
I wouldn’t assume the Yankees won’t sign him because of that, but his low OBP and developing issues with velocity would more likely push them away from a longer-term deal.
28rings: We? What position do you play?
69 with your mother, Trebek
My mother’s dead, you sick shmuck.
Yankees signed Marwin Gonzalez though, who was on the 2017 Astros and benefited arguably the most from it. SO you are just talking out of your butt.
We signed him to a minor league contract after he paid his dues by having to play for the Twins in between. Huge difference.
Dipoto gets aroused, only to realize that all along, his arousal was due to John Stanton’s frugality. Although, Dipoto did apologize for Frazier, Wong and Polanco, and promised that this year would be different. This year he’d get a proven 2nd baseman via trade!…
Brandon Lowe of the Rays would make sense. One year at ~$10MM is fairly reasonable.
Bregman’s gonna linger a long time this year, and his reps know it. That’s why he’s talking about being flexible. Teams are pretty wise to giving long, huge contracts to position players who are already in their 30’s, and half the league or more isn’t gonna participate in the FA market at a high level because of money problems.
Right now he’s still excellent — more than excellent — but his last three years in fWAR: 5.4, 4.5, 4.1. Right on schedule, he’s on his way down. No one’s gonna give him more than a 5 year deal and I think he’s shooting for more than that.
It’s Boras. He’s going to 6+ years.
His floor is already set, Chapman got 6 years and 150 million, Bregman is a year younger and a more consistent better hitter. He’ll probably end up around 6 175 for the free agent inflation
I have it from anonymous sources that I trust that the Astros have already offered him 6 / $156M.
Of course he and Boras are hoping for more years and a higher guarantee so they won’t accept that.
In the end I think he returns to Houston on a deal for 7 yrs and between $180-200M after competition drives up the offer.
If he gets an 8 yr and/or $200M+ offer he isn’t returning.
I think he takes whatever is the Stros’ best offer because no one is giving more.
If I were the Astros I’d take Bregman for 8yr/200 million…that’s a savings of 5.5 million a year from what they paid him in 2024 (30.5 million)
Seamaholic has the right of it ! He might be the last guy signed this offseason and the decline is evident. Houston is usually too savvy to sign these guys but may to be emotionally attached at this point
Please, Mariners spend some money.
Why does this surprise you, Leo? Another reason you failed to mention is maybe the teams that are asking him to switch already have a 3rd baseman but they like Bregman’s bat and leadership enough to warrant trying to sign him at a different position.
Perfect fit for the Jays, but they’ll definitely go with something like Kikuchi, O’Neill and some meh bullpen arms
Toronto may be the one team willing to over commit in years
Jays fans need to curb their enthusiasm for this offseason. Team just got under the tax threshold and plan on staying there to reset the penalty. Unless money is cleared via trade there won’t be any flashy signings this offseason and if there is money cleared via trade any signing will be an offset of the talent lost clearing said salary. Work with what you got cause that’s what you’ll have.
Sportstrac projects them at 189 mil post arb and there was an article saying they might not have went over lux tax theshold last season ? So they can def sign Bregman or any one player. I mean if they were in on ohtani, how not ??
Payroll and luxury tax numbers are not all the same. They are at 211 for tax purposes. There’s some wiggle there but not a ton. As far as “in on Ohtani” cmon that’s silly. He’s a unicorn everyone would pop the tax ceiling for him. Ohtani prints money Not Bregman.
“have asked about his client’s willingness to move to second base – and Boras confirmed that Bregman would indeed be willing to make the change”
Suitors asked.
He has suitors per his agent.
Certainly not the Tigers asking about that.
Good. The Tigers need to save their money to hire…..
The Superfife!
I’ll admit, if confronted by Scott Boras, he is quite possibly a future HoF player.
I could article after article about it – if I were to be paid……
Atlanta can move Albies to SS
I would think the preference would be to keep Oz at 2B and slap Bregs at SS (if ATL signed him)
Bregman is my favorite player but he would be a poor SS.
He has not played there since 2019. Not even an inning. There is a reason the Astros didn’t even consider it when Correa moved on.
They didn’t consider because Peña was already christened the heir to SS prior to Correa’s departure.
Ok.
So you are saying a player who wasn’t even a top 100 prospect, had never been in MLB. and a total of 30 games above “A” ball kept the Astros from moving Bregman back to SS if he was still an option there?
No, he’s saying that since Pena worked out, they didn’t have to. I’m sure they looked at every option.
I’m glad you know what he meant.
I read “they didn’t consider it because Pena (the player at the level I described) was already christened the heir to SS before Correa left.”
My mistake. I should have read “they didn’t need to move Bregman because after 30 games in AAA Pena had proven There’s zero chance of him failing.”
(Sorry I’m a bit snarky today, I’ll stop responding it’s not positive or productive)
if bregman is your favorite player, you must not have a problem with unremorseful cheaters. Think the Yankees have forgotten about him cheating against them also?
You don’t know me.
Bregman was a 23 year old in his first full MLB season in 2017. Do you think he should have gone to Carlos Beltran and Alex Cora and told them how it’s supposed to be in MLB?
It’s a fact that sign stealing has been a part of baseball forever. It’s also been exposed by several players on multiple teams that many different teams were using technology to steal signs.
Carlos Beltran is the one who reportedly brought “the system” to Houston and he had played on the Yankees the previous year and then they hired him after the fallout from the cheating.
I have made my position very clear, via comments, on this site for years. I do not condone cheating and am ashamed that my favorite team did it. I feel it was widespread but acknowledge the Astros crossed a line and were likely more extreme than the others.
I also feel that MLB used them as a scapegoat to save their own reputation and avoid a league wide scandal.
I feel the punishment was deserved and also fitting and fair. I feel the players not being punished was the right choice based on all sides of the case.
The Yankees later signed Marwin Gonzalez, who was a veteran on that Astros team and possibly the biggest beneficiary of the cheating.
They would welcome Alex in a heartbeat and the vast majority of Yankee fans would be ecstatic to have him.
The media and fans are the only ones who still care, and possibly ever cared.
He was drafted out of LSU as a SS, so he would be fine there.
That’s great insight.
Bryce Harper was drafted as a catcher. Why don’t the Phillies move him back there? He would be fine.
Willing to cheat also if necessary
I love how quickly the media and fans write beautiful stories about and welcome the 2017-2019 Astros players with open arms once they become free agents. Springer, Correa, Gurriel, Marwin, Teoscar, Tony Kemp, Myles Straw and now Bregman all seem to be portrayed as lovely guys who will make your team and city better. Pitchers don’t count because I don’t see how they can cheat unless they were also acting out that Todd Rundgren song all season.
All those players you mentioned will probably end up on the Angels one day.
They are desperate to return to the postseason by any means necessary, and that crews already has the means as long as there is a Home Depot nearby.
Twins fan here. I only give Correa the golf clap, and don’t get me started on Marwin
Because most of us have moved past it. Just like with PEDs and spidertack. If I couldn’t, I’ll stop watching the sport instead of complaining about the Black Sox scandal.
The players who were caught doing those things you mentioned were suspended/fined/kept out of HoF. The Astros players were rewarded. The animosity is their punishment
Carlos Beltran has missed out on some coaching opportunities including possibly being a first time Manager
Also, Cora never got punished. Not managing in 2020 was not a punishment. As a Sox fan, I still wonder if they cheated on 18. Holt hitting for the cycle, JBJ being the championship series MVP and the way Moreland (who could barely walk at the time) clobbered that pinch hit homer taken together infers to me at least that the team either did the best scouting ever or “there is more to the story”.
Also, Cora never got punished. Not managing in 2020 was not a punishment. As a Sox fan, I still wonder if they cheated in 18. Holt hitting for the cycle, JBJ being the championship series MVP and the way Moreland (who could barely walk at the time) clobbered that pinch hit homer taken together infers to me at least that the team either did the best scouting ever or “there is more to the story”.
You can say that again
We forgive politicians who have 34 felony convictions. I would think we can forgive men playing a child’s game.
Teoscar Hernandez played one game as a defensive replacement for the 2017 Astros.
@Footjoyboi
Hello It’s Me? I Saw the Light? Can We Still Be Friends?
Bang On The Drum. I’m actually an Astros fan, but figured I’d play along.
I don’t want to go to work.
Does anyone know why Jim Edmonds made so many appearances at 1b while he was winning so many gold gloves in CF?
It just seems to me that if you have a GG winning CF, putting him at 1b seems like a mistake as he should be better defensively than the 3 OFers you have out there.
Maybe Jim Edmonds’ managers didn’t think he was that good of a defensive outfielder.
@truthlemonade
Overall, he had a -6 DRS for his career and that is CF. His managers were smart to want to keep him a 1B. Shouldn’t have won a GG, but I don’t view GGs are that important. I prefer the Fielding Bible.
Gold Glove awards are voted on by the dinosaurs in baseball that think diving for the ball is a tremendous defensive play where in reality it just means the defender has poor range and speed and got lucky.
GG is voted on by managers & coaches who can’t vote for their own players. It’s a popularity contest made up of highlight reel plays (routine outs for players with better range), lack of errors (low range players – and guys like Rafael Palmiero who DH’ed more than he played in the field make less of them), lazy picks (voting for the guy who always wins) and they probably don’t know now (and definitely didn’t know when Edmonds played) what DRS even is.
I think it was back pain/load management, lemonade!
28rings: They also include a player’s offense which should have nothing to do with a GG.
Scott Boras is doing a good job of selling Bregman to teams, gotta justify the hefty price tag he no doubt is throwing out in early talks.
6/162 is my prediction. 27 million USA credits a year.
If I’m a team, I’d be kicking the tires on him and ask if he could pitch, even a few innings out of the pen. Need more Shohei’s in baseball and less 1 dimensional guys. If I’m spending $300M on a guy, he better do more than hit the ball and catch a few balls in the field. Be an all-round player.
The knuckeball isn’t as easy pitch to master but it is less likely to lead to TJS in a short timeframe. Knuckleball coaches/influencers salaries are trending up. Sarcasm intended I Think?
His bat plays at 2B or 3B of LF or 1B….
Sick of reading this stuff.
MLB is now rotisserie league?
If a position player can hit, he hits. If he can’t play a position he
DH’s. Most players have natural positions. It’s best they play there unless they get too old and have to move off it. If SS’s and C’s are exceptionally good defensively that can play and help their teams
win even if they can’t hit. Been that way for over a century.
“His bat plays…”. Bunch of gibberish by amateurs that take themselves too seriously.
Honestly, it seems as if you agree with the concept of “His bat plays.”
You correctly claim that teams will tolerate a bad hitter if he is exceptionally good defensively at either SS or C. Austin Hedges is a terrible hitter, but so good at C that teams are willing to sign him. If he wanted to move to 1b, he would be out of the league.
Alex Bregman could say, “I only want to play DH and never play defense,” and still get a multi year contract, albeit for much less money. He would never say this.
Francisco Cervelli was a catcher who hit league average (which is actually good for a catcher) who got hurt and said “I never want to catch again,” and he quickly backtracked on that as he realized that no team would accept him not as a catcher as his bat didn’t play elsewhere.
Jake Cronenworth was a reserve All Star at 2b in 2021 an 2022. In the past two seasons, he was moved to play more 1b and less 2b, and his hitting happened to get worse. His worse hitting would be a lot easier to accept if he was still playing 2b regularly. You know this.
You left out strapping on the Tools of Ignorance at C
Boras doesn’t want to pigeonhole him and ensure a wide market of interest
truthlemonade: I think of Ozzie Smith, who couldn’t hit but played great defense. That got him into the HOF, but I doubt that will happen again.
I don’t get why teams are willing to invest many millions of dollars on a question mark. Alex Bregman at third base is a proven commodity. Alex Bregman at second base is a question mark. Yeah, he could be fine, but he could also be a disaster. If you are investing that much, it should be for the proven commodity.
I’d be willing to switch to 2B too for $150 million.
Mets could sure use a 2B. But somehow he’ll end up a Dodger like every single other high-priced free agent because MLB is so broken.
Acuna needs more work at AAA probably and I think he is likely to play more IF BUT I think he has been playing some OF and the NYM could use a younger CF. Nimmo can play there sometime but his range is decreasing.
Kind of the way the Marlins used Jazz Chisolm based on team need
Also usage not full time but part time at 2B with Mauricio, Baty, McNeil (if not traded) also
Bregman is the free agent the Dodgers would be least likely to sign.
He’s increasing his market.
SF Giants need a 2B and power. So could many other teams, not to mention 3B. This could push Bregman’s salary over $200M. Dusty Baker is a special assistant with the Giants now and he could play a pivotal role, along with Posey in convincing Bregman to play the keystone in SF; that and a big fat check.
Seattle could definitely be in play if they open their wallet. It’s a very affluent area but for whatever reason ownership runs the team like it’s a small market team.
It’s almost hilarious how much money they ask for and get, if it wasn’t so sad……
Poor kids these days, pushed into a world of crime, just so they can buy tickets to a baseball game……. CC fraud, strong armed robbery….
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY CAN BE DIRECLTY CORRELATED TO RISE IN BASEBALL TICKET PRICES.
CRIME IN AMERICA HAS SKYROCKETED JUST AS PLAYER SALARIES HAVE SKYROCKETED.
Does Boras.get secret Commie payoffs?
I’m NOT making an accusation, merely wondering……
Second base? Alex Bregman – YOU are a Seattle Mariner!
What a dumb thing for an elite third baseman to offer entering free agency fresh out of surgery on your throwing elbow.
IOW, “Expect my throws to be weak so how bout I move to an easier position with less earning potential?”
His potential signing just took a delay into March.
I hope the Yankees sign Bregman (2B) & Alonso (1B) (along with keeping Soto & Cole). That team should be able to beat the Dodgers in the WS next year.
I’d enjoy watching that team over the FRICKIN CHEAP @$$ Red Sox!
IF the Yankees sign Bregman he will stay at 3B and Jazz Chisholm will move over to 2B
Even better
He’s more of a SHORTstop imo. Amirite
Bergman’s signing is a 2 for 1 deal, u sign em u get the trash can too. Sure is sweet knowing what pitch is coming.
I’d imagine it’s seattle making sure he’s distracted enough to where they can be sure he’ll have a .680 ops for them.