The Houston Astros may find themselves prioritizing the re-signing of Alex Bregman this offseason, as there are growing concerns about their ability to retain outfielder Kyle Tucker after his current contract ends next season, according to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Tucker, a critical component of the Astros’ offense, could be looking at a lucrative deal of over $300 million in free agency, making his future in Houston uncertain. This potential scenario has led the Astros to consider extending Bregman’s tenure with the team, keeping him in Houston alongside franchise cornerstone José Altuve. If Bregman doesn’t stay with the Astros, Passan speculates he would make an excellent fit for other teams, including Detroit, where he could reunite with his former manager A.J. Hinch, or Toronto if they miss out on a high-profile player like Juan Soto.
Bregman has been a cornerstone of the Astros’ success, contributing to their two World Series titles and earning two All-Star selections during his nine-season career with the club. In addition to his reliable performance at the plate, Bregman took home a Gold Glove in 2024, underscoring his defensive prowess at third base. With his contract set to expire after this season, the Astros’ general manager Dana Brown has expressed strong interest in keeping Bregman on the roster beyond 2025. As Brown stated to the *Houston Chronicle’s* Matt Kawahara, third base remains a key position for the Astros, and they are committed to keeping Bregman, though they aim to avoid long, exorbitant deals. Brown specified that while the team may not engage in a bidding war for extended eight-year deals, they would consider offering Bregman a six- or seven-year contract if the terms feel right for both sides.
This cautious approach to long-term commitments reflects the Astros’ aging roster and need to manage upcoming expiring contracts carefully. In fact, with limited cap space, the Astros are also considering moves to free up financial flexibility. According to *The Athletic’s* Chandler Rome, one possibility includes trading closer Ryan Pressly, whose contract ends next season. Internal discussions about a Pressly trade signal that the Astros might be willing to part with valuable players to remain under the luxury tax threshold, where they reportedly hover around $10 million below the first tax level when factoring in projected arbitration salaries. Brown has indicated a desire to add depth while avoiding weakening the team, suggesting that if the Astros can trade a high-profile player like Pressly to acquire multiple assets in return, they may do so if the deal improves their overall competitiveness.
Alongside concerns about Tucker and Pressly, the Astros are also likely to lose starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to free agency. The *New York Post’s* Jon Heyman reports that Kikuchi is drawing substantial interest from other teams, making it difficult for the Astros to retain him as well. This impending departure adds to the team’s list of uncertainties heading into the offseason, particularly following a season in which they missed the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2016.
Ultimately, these changes and concerns put the Astros in a position to reshape parts of their roster while seeking to keep cornerstone players like Bregman. Balancing a competitive team for the near future with mindful financial management, Houston’s front office must decide how to navigate these choices to maintain a high-caliber lineup without surpassing budgetary limits.
