“Our arms are still open,” Astros manager Joe Espada open to welcome back 2x All-Star Alex Bregman amidst interest from Red Sox
The Houston Astros are open to welcoming back Alex Bregman as per manager Joe Espada as the third baseman continues to remain a free agent.
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Alex Bregman and Joe Espada (Image via Newsweek/MLB)
The Houston Astros-Alex Bregman chapter might not be over just yet. As per team manager Joe Espada, they are ready to welcome him back to the team as the door is still open for him.
Bregman became a free agent once the 2024 season came to an end. The American League West side offered him a 6-year $156 million deal in the winter, which he turned down. As per reports, Bregman and his camp wanted a deal closer to $200 million.
Since then he has been on the lookout. Over the past month, the Boston Red Sox have been heavily linked with him. Despite the third baseman turning down that huge offer before, he could still end up re-signing with the Astros.
Manager Joe Espada recently spoke with Fox 26 Houston’s Nate Griffin. The manager claimed that their arms were still open to welcome him back to the dugout.
Well, he has not signed with anyone right? So, we here still open… our arms are still open. The door’s still open. There’s always a chance, right? But right now we are still in conversations with not only him, but with other free agent players. So we’ll see. We’ll see.
Joe Espada on Alex Bregman
Spoke with Astros Manager, Joe Espada to get the latest on Alex Bregman & if the Astros still have a shot at keeping him in Houston. pic.twitter.com/r5vwgoiYyu
— Nate Griffin (@NateGriffFOX26) January 16, 2025
The Astros have made some big moves this offseason. They acquired third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs which saw them give away Kyle Tucker. Apart from that, they roped in first baseman Christian Walker on a 3-year $40 million deal.
Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado remain top priority for the Red Sox
Throughout the offseason, the Boston Red Sox have been looking to add a top right-handed hitter. They have been linked with Alex Bregman and Nolan Arenado, with both of these stars being considered as top priority for the team.
The Red Sox have signed pitcher 2-time World Series winner Walker Buehler from free agency and acquired Garrett Crochet in a trade from the Chicago White Sox in the offseason. The team though is looking to add some firepower to their offense and both Bregman and Arenado have remained under the radar of the team.
Sources continue to indicate that adding a right-handed bat is still Boston’s top priority with bullpen help being looked at as a secondary need. Free agent Alex Bregman and Cardinals trade candidate Nolan Arenado remain the two big-name.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive said
In the 2024 season, Bregman hit 26 home runs and drove in 75 runs while batting at a .260 average. As for Arenado, he managed to hit 16 home runs and had 71 RBIs while hitting at a .272 average in 152 games for the St. Louis Cardinals.
It now remains to be seen whom the Red Sox will go after. Last season, they finished with an 81-81 record and came third in the division standings behind Baltimore Orioles and arch-rivals, New York Yankees. This meant that they missed out on the playoffs for a third year in a row.
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Vinay Dave
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