HOUSTON — Retaining Alex Bregman is the Houston Astros’ “biggest priority” according to general manager Dana Brown, a man who hasn’t envisioned any other scenario. “Our mindset right now is that he’s not going elsewhere and we want to sign him,” Brown said last week at the general managers’ meetings. “If he ends up going elsewhere, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but I’m going into this offseason with the thought that we’re going to get Bregman back.
” Advertisement Perhaps Brown meant to project confidence for a fan base far too familiar with its favorite players fleeing in free agency. It’s difficult to envision Brown and his baseball operations department haven’t considered contingency plans, especially with owner Jim Crane’s aversion to the sort of contract it will take to keep Bregman. All indications are the Astros’ pursuit of Bregman is serious, perhaps more so than any of the past free agents they’ve allowed to depart, but it guarantees nothing.
Houston must have alternate plans for life without Bregman. Here are three avenues it could explore. Sign a stopgap The third-base market behind Bregman is nearly nonexistent.
Paul DeJong, Gio Urshela, Yoán Moncada and Jose Iglesias are perhaps the most recognizable names, but none profiles as a long-term solution. But, if Houston finds itself in this scenario, its goal should be finding someone with enough upside to play a complementary role on a contending team. Both Iglesias.