MLB Rumors: Alex Bregman Still Interests Tigers After Jack Flaherty Contract

The Detroit Tigers are expected to remain active in free agency.

According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are "still interested" in signing third baseman Alex Bregman after adding starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.

ESPN's Buster Olney previously listed Detroit as one of the teams pursuing Bregman.

On Sunday, the Tigers brought back Flaherty on a two-year, $35 million contract that includes an opt-out after the 2025 season.

The right-hander opened his 2024 campaign on the Tigers, compiling a 7-5 record to go along with a 2.95 ERA and 0.956 WHIP in 18 starts before he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the season.

Now, he's back in Detroit.

As for Bregman, the two-time All-Star is still a free agent after spending the first nine years of his career with the Houston Astros.

There doesn't appear to be a shortage of interest in the 30-year-old. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Jan. 24 that the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox were among Bregman's potential suitors and the Astros had interest in a return as well.

Houston previously offered the two-time champion a six-year deal worth roughly $156 million that he declined, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Bregman is "believed" to be searching for a contract closer to $200 million, via McTaggart.

He's coming off a 2024 season with the Astros in which he hit .260 with 26 home runs, 30 doubles and 75 RBIs. Bregman posted a career-low .768 OPS, though.

The Tigers haven't handed out any long-term contracts in free agency as they've pursued Bregman. They signed starter Alex Cobb and second baseman Gleyber Torres to one-year deals on Dec. 10 and Dec. 27, respectively.

As Detroit attempts to build upon its 2024 American League Division Series appearance, the signing of Flaherty doesn't appear to have impacted the team's desire to add Bregman.