Astros Rumors: Alex Bregman Contract Expected to Be 'Harder' Than José Altuve's

The Houston Astros may have a tough time signing infielder Alex Bregman to a long-term contract.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, it's "expected to be harder" for the Astros to retain Bregman compared to former American League MVP José Altuve. On Feb. 6, Altuve signed a seven-year deal with the team worth $163.5 million (per Spotrac).

Bregman is currently set to enter free agency after the 2024 season, although the Astros' front office will likely attempt to keep him in Houston for the foreseeable future.

Heyman believes that Bregman will command a deal similar to the one that shortstop Xander Bogaerts signed with the San Diego Padres in Dec. 2022. Bogaerts agreed to a contract worth $280 million over 11 years with an annual base salary of $25 million.

While an extension before the start of the season is still possible, Astros general manager Dana Brown revealed on Feb. 8 that the team has not presented an offer to Bregman or his agent Scott Boras just yet.

"There's really not a timeline on this right now and at some point, we will make an offer," Brown said, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "I think we both respect that and that's pretty much the conversation. Look, we love Alex, we'd love to have him here. As far as a timeline, we just don't have it, but we will at some point make him an offer."

The 29-year-old has been a member of the Astros organization for all eight seasons of his career, making two All-Star appearances while playing an important role during the team's World Series victories in 2017 and 2022.

In 2023, Bregman bounced back from a slow start to hit .262 with 25 home runs and 98 RBIs. He also walked 92 times while posting an OPS of .804.