Jose Altuve started 1,749 career games for the Houston Astros and every one of them saw him take the field at second base. He’s willing to break this run if it means retaining a longtime teammate.
The Astros star said Saturday he would be willing to change positions to accommodate the return of Alex Bregman, one of the top MLB free agents remaining on the board. From Chandler Rome of Athletics:
“For Alex, I would do anything,” Altuve said at the team’s annual fanfest. “He’s one of the best players in the whole league, but he’s definitely one of the best players on the team. We want him to stay, so whatever I have to do to make him stay, I’m willing to do. »
The return of Bregman, Yahoo Sports’ No. 4 free agent, was considered a long-term shot for some time. He entered the offseason looking for a nine-figure deal, which the Astros typically aren’t giving away. However, Bob Nighenngale of Rome and USA Today reported earlier this week that the team had re-signed the third baseman.
Bregman returning at this point would be a bit awkward because Houston clearly went about its offseason assuming he was leaving. He traded All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs and brought back infielder Isaac Paredes, who played the vast majority of his games at third base.
The Astros also filled first base, another position Paredes played, with a three-year, $60 million deal with Christian Walker, leaving them with a full infield of Walker, Altuve, Paredes and shutdown- short Jeremy Peña.
Paredes has also played second base in his career, and that’s where Altuve’s potential position change comes into play. This wouldn’t be an ideal talent arrangement, but it’s their best option if they sign Bregman.
According to The Athletic, four other teams are interested in Bregman: the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. Given that he hasn’t received the deal he clearly wants, it seems possible that he takes a short-term deal similar to what Matt Chapman did last year.
Bregman played nine seasons with the Astros, accumulating two All-Star nods, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and two World Series rings. If it’s truly about him and Houston, he’ll join a long procession of players leaving the organization over the past four years, including Carlos Correa, George Springer and Gerrit Cole.