The Houston Astros are appearing more and more likely to lose free agent third baseman Alex Bregman via free agency this winter.
A two-time World Series champion with the Astros, Bregman has signaled his willingness to move to second base to facilitate signing a long-term contract away from Houston. Several Major League Baseball teams are reported to be interested in acquiring the nine-year veteran's services going forward.
As one anonymous MLB executive told ESPN's Jesse Rogers, "...other teams need his bat and battle-tested vet presence more than Houston does."
However, should Bregman leave the Astros, a replacement plan could be staring them in the face in the form of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado.
Dayn Perry of CBS Sports names Houston as a potential trade partner with St. Louis should the Redbirds move forward with reported plans to pursue an Arenado swap this winter.
The 33-year-old is under contract through 2027 on an eight-year, $260 million deal he signed before the Colorado Rockies traded him to St. Louis before the 2021 season.
The Cardinals are reportedly looking to clear out several of its veteran contracts in order to facilitate a rapid rebuild of a franchise that has fallen far behind the National League Central division champion Milwaukee Brewers in recent seasons.
Arenado showed signs of his possible decline in 2024 after hitting just 16 home runs — his fewest in a full season since his rookie campaign of 2013 — and also failing to win a Gold Glove Award for the second-straight season after winning the defensive honor in each of his first ten big-league seasons.
However, Perry notes that Arenado "remains, however, a standout defender at the hot corner. He's also not a liability at the plate, at least based on 2024 levels of production, and that in tandem with Arenado's defensive value, makes him potentially of interest to win-now teams."
More MLB: Will the Giants overbid for an $86 million Silver Slugger this winter?
