Alex Bregman Trade Rumors: MLB insider expects Blue Jays, Tigers to compete for Astros 3B in offseason

Alex Bregman is heading into free agency for the first time in his career after spending nine years in the majors with the Houston Astros. He will likely be one of the hottest free agents in the offseason as the best third baseman available.

As per MLB insider Buster Olney, the Toronto Blue Jays will be the team leading the charge to acquire his signature.

Since making his debut in 2017, Alex Bregman has earned two All-Star Game selections in addition to winning two World Series rings with the Astros. Bregman has been a divisive figure among opposition fans for his role in the sign-stealing scandal that broke out in 2019. He is coming to the end of a five-year, $100 million extension that he signed with the team before the 2020 season.

Buster Olney, the veteran MLB correspondent for ESPN, discussed the Blue Jays' chances of making a move for the Astros infielder while speaking on TSN Tuesday morning.

"Alex Bregman is a proven winner, he's a really good third baseman, he can hit, he would help to lengthen out their lineup," Olney said.

"We know the Blue Jays have been looking to fill the third base spot more permanently for the past couple of years," he continued. "They made [former Blue Jays third baseman] Matt Chapman [an] offer for about $125 million early in the 2023 season, and Bregman fits [the team's needs] in a lot of ways."

The Blue Jays finished the regular season at the bottom of the American League East for the first time in 11 years and will look to bolster their offense in free agency during the offseason. They averaged 4.4 runs per game in 2024, which put them in the 23rd spot among the 30 MLB teams. According to FanGraphs, they also ranked in 20th position for home runs hit by third basemen.

Detroit Tigers to be involved in the chase for Alex Bregman as well

Alex Bregman is heading into free agency for the first time in his career (Image Source: IMAGN)

The Detroit Tigers will also be keen to add Bregman to their lineup next season, according to Olney. The Tigers made their first postseason run in a decade before going out to the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series and should continue their progression next year.

"Here's the thing: Not only does Houston want him back – and I do think there are limits to what the Astros can offer him – but there's another team that's on the rise in the American League that also could use a third baseman, and that would be the Detroit Tigers," Olney said.

"They are managed by A.J. Hinch, who was Bregman's manager in Houston. They've got a lot of payroll flexibility. I think, given their late-season success, given the excellence of their players and what they're building there and given Hinch's influence, it wouldn't at all surprise me if they made a run at Alex as someone who could be an anchor for these young players," he added.

Alex Bregman did not have a vintage campaign heading into free agency, yet he posted a .260/.315/.453 slashline with 26 home runs, 75 RBIs and an OPS+ of 118.