Alex Bregman Rumors: Mets eyeing possible free agency move for Astros 3B, per MLB insider

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman could potentially be playing for the New York Mets next season, according to veteran MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. The Mets currently have Mark Vientos playing at the hot corner, but Rosenthal believes he could be shifted to first base if Pete Alonso leaves in the off-season, allowing Bregman to come in and fill up the vacancy at third base.

Alex Bregman is currently in the final year of his five-year $100 million extension he signed with the Astros in 2019. The two-time All-Star is a key player for Houston this season despite having an underwhelming start to the campaign. The 30-year-old is unlikely to remain with the team next season and will probably head into free agency for the first time in his career.

In his colmun for The Athletic on Tuesday, Ken Rosenthal discussed the possibility of the Mets and other MLB teams in need of an everyday third baseman making a move for Bregman during the off-season.

"The market for third basemen should be interesting. Besides the Astros and Giants, the teams with obvious needs include the Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees, presuming they move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second as a replacement for Gleyber Torres. The Mets also could be a possibility, if they don’t view Mark Vientos as a long-term answer," Rosenthal wrote.

However, Rosenthal believes that Matt Chapman of the San Francisco Giants will be the preferred choice over Alex Bregman if he chooses to exercise his opt-out clause at the end of the season. Although both have produced nearly identical numbers at the plate this year, Chapman is a better defender and has 5.7 bWAR, while Bregman has only accumulated 2.7 bWAR so far.

The Mets will be able to accomodate Alex Bregman in different scenarios

Alex Bregman will become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

The Mets could make an offer to bring in Alex Bregman next season, even though Mark Vientos is having a breakthrough year at third base. The 24-year-old is batting .275/.333/.557 with .890 OPS, 19 home runs, and 48 RBIs in 73 games. Vientos has established him as a cornerstone of the Mets lineup, although he may not remain at the hot corner beyond this season.

Defensively, Vientos is average at best and has -5 outs above average, which puts him in 36th position among all MLB third basemen this season. On the other hand, Bregman has +4 OAA, which ranks as the fourth best in the league.

If Pete Alonso opts for free agency at the end of the year, Mark Vientos could be shifted to first base with Alex Bregman filling up the hot corner. If Alonso stays with the team, the Mets could allow J.D. Martinez to leave and use Vientos in his spot as the designated hitter, with Bregman taking his usual place at third base.