HOUSTON — Contract negotiations “stalled” between the Houston Astros and free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, prompting general manager Dana Brown to pivot and remake his infield without a franchise cornerstone.
“I won’t get into specifics but I feel like the negotiations stalled,” Brown said on Monday afternoon. “I feel like we made a really competitive offer and showed that we wanted him back. But we had to pursue other options. We couldn’t just sit there.”
Signing first baseman Christian Walker on Monday all but eliminated any chance of a reunion with Bregman, the former second overall pick who helped propel Houston’s ascension into an American League force.
The Astros had already acquired Isaac Paredes as part of the return for Kyle Tucker, but did so with the understanding that Paredes could play either first base or third base, according to Brown.
An ill-fated attempt to acquire St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado left Brown and the Astros with scant options — including a reunion with Bregman. Brown did not answer whether the Astros increased their original offer, which MLB.com and USA Today reported was for six years and around $156 million.
“I won’t get into any more but to say Paredes is going to play third and Walker is going to play first,” Brown said.
GO DEEPER
Signing Christian Walker signals an end to the Alex Bregman era in Houston
GO DEEPER
Why Nolan Arenado declined a trade to the Astros and what it means for the Cardinals
(Photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images)
