The Houston Astros had made a six-year, $156 million offer to Alex Bregman early in the offseason, but the veteran third baseman declined it in hopes of finding a more lucrative deal.
Late on Wednesday, the Bregman saga finally reached its end, as did a memorable era in Houston. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the two-time World Series champion is signing a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
The deal includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
Bregman slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs, 75 RBI and a 4.1 WAR in what proved to be his final year in Houston.
Astros fans will certainly be sad that Bregman is now officially gone. He helped Houston win four American League pennants and played a key role in both of the team’s World Series titles.
The 30-year-old also was a two-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glover in Houston.
The Astros had already seemingly pivoted before making a last-ditch effort to bring him back. They failed to trade for Nolan Arenado and then pivoted to signing Christian Walker and shifted Isaac Paredes to third base.
As such, Houston is covered at third base, and their contingency plan ultimately has paid off. Still, it’s the end of an era, and Jose Altuve is the last remaining member of the 2017 World Series team.
In Boston, Bregman will likely have to shift to second base with Rafael Devers already at third. But the Red Sox finally have the right-handed bat they were looking for all offseason long.
Even without the two-time All-Star, the American League West is wide open, and Houston should have a good chance to win their eighth division title in the last nine years.
We’ll see if the Astros pivot to another free agent or even try to trade for Arenado again.
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