Astros’ Jose Altuve ‘willing’ to change positions for potential return of Alex Bregman

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is willing to leave the second base position and play in left field for the return of Alex Bregman.

Astros’ Jose Altuve ‘willing’ to change positions for potential return of Alex Bregman

Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve (Image via ESPN)

Houston Astros star Jose Altuve is ready to make a big sacrifice. The second baseman is willing to change positions and play in the left field to accommodate the return of first baseman Alex Bregman to the team.

Bregman become a free agent after the end of the 2024 season. In December, he was offered a 6-year $156 million contract. He though turned this huge offer down as he and his agent Scott Boras demanded something close to $200 million.

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Since then Bregman has been on the lookout for a new club. As for the Astros, they picked up Christian Walker on a 3-year $40 million deal and traded for third baseman Isaac Paredes with the Chicago Cubs.

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A few days ago, Astros coach Joe Espada spoke about a potential reunion with Bregman. He claimed that the doors of the team are always open for him.

As of now Walker is expected to play on the first base along with Altuve on the second and Paredes on the third. If the 30-year-old does return to the team, they would have several infield options leading to confusion on who should play infield.

To avoid this, Jose Altuve is willing to let go of his second base position and play as a left infielder. He is ready to do ‘whatever’ it takes to bring Bregman back to Houston.

We haven’t talked about it, but for Alex I’d do whatever. Like I said, he’s one of the best players in the whole league, but definitely one of the best players on this team. We want him to stay, and whatever I have to do for him to stay I’m willing to do it.

Jose Altuve told the reporters

MLB insider bets on Astros to re-sign Alex Bregman amidst interest from several other teams

The Alex Bregman sweepstakes have heated up a little bit in the past few days. While the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers are still linked with him, an MLB insider thinks that the Houston Astros will eventually win the race and re-sign him.

Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman (Image via Newsweek)

Speaking at the 100th annual New York Baseball Writers’ dinner, prominent insider Ken Rosenthal made a bold claim. He bet that the Astros will come out on top and get Bregman back from the free agency market.

Their fans want Alex Bregman back and the Astros are trying. I don’t know how far it’s going to get, but if I had to bet right now, I would bet the Astros in this negotiation.

Ken Rosenthal said

Rosenthal would also bring up the statement of Jose Altuve from earlier in the day. The MLB insider expressed that Altuve’s best days at the second base are long gone and a move to the left field could work out for him.

Who will eventually end up signing Bregman though is the big question for now. In the 2024 season, Bregman hit 26 home runs and had 75 RBI along his name. He posted a slash line of .260/.315/.453 in 145 regular season games.