Tigers President Scott Harris refuses to comment on their interest in Alex Bregman amid rumors

Free agent third baseman Alex Bregman is reportedly high on the Detroit Tigers’ radar. An article in Sports Illustrated dated December 26 discussed how the Tigers should be considered the frontrunners to land the former Houston Astros star.

Reportedly, Alex Bregman’s time in Houston is essentially over after the Astros acquired Isaac Paredes in the Kyle Tucker trade with the Chicago Cubs and signed Christian Walker. The moves signal that both corner positions are spoken for. While there could be a chance for a reunion between the Houston Astros and Alex Bregman, the likelihood of that happening is rather slim.

While it seems the consensus is that the Tigers are going to land Alex Bregman, Tigers GM Scott Harris isn’t showing his hand right now. Detroit Free Press reporter Evan Petzold quoted Harris as saying:

"I can't comment on any free agent. I can just tell you we are already working to continue to get better. We are trying to find ways to make this organization better. ... But I really like where we're at right now."

The comments don’t rule out the Tigers’ interest in Bregman. However, the comments don’t preclude the team from chasing the big-ticket free agent. The comments only provide a politically correct approach to what appear to be ongoing negotiations.

Other teams reportedly interested in Bregman include the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. Nevertheless, none of these teams have emerged as clear frontrunners.

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Where Alex Bregman fits into the Tigers lineup

The Detroit Tigers were somewhat of a surprise last season. After playing great baseball during the second half, the Tigers parlayed their success into a wild-card berth. The Tigers bounced the Astros in the wild-card round and nearly reached the American League Championship Series.

This time, the Tigers will be looking to boost their infield and the middle of their order. Last season, they had somewhat of a rotation at third base with Gio Urshela playing 74 games there, Matt Vierling 51, and Zack MacInstry 38. Four other players shared a total of 55 games at the hot corner.

As such, Alex Bregman would be an immediate upgrade at third. Meanwhile, his bat could easily slide into the second, third, or clean-up spots in the order. Bregman could move up and down depending on the team’s needs on any given day.

With that sort of flexibility of upside, the Tigers could do well by opening up their checkbook and signing Bregman to a big free-agent deal. The Athletic projects Bregman signing a seven-year $189 million deal.

Based on the astronomical deals handed out to some of the game’s biggest stars, $189 million seems like a bargain. It remains to be seen if it will be the Tigers or any other reported frontrunner who chooses to pay up.