HOUSTON — In what could be his final regular-season game at Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman received a rousing sendoff from the only fan base and franchise he’s ever known.
Before the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners, Bregman ran out to his position at third base. None of his teammates followed. Lil’ Troy’s “Wanna Be a Baller” — one of Bregman’s many walk-out songs — blared while the Minute Maid Park jumbotron focused just on the franchise cornerstone.
Manager Joe Espada emerged from the dugout to remove Bregman for a defensive replacement. When he did, the crowd serenaded Bregman with a standing ovation as he left the field. Bregman doffed his cap to the crowd, hugged hitting coach Alex Cintrón and descended into the dugout to greet his teammates.
Bregman is expected to test free agency after this season, his ninth as an Astro. He and Jose Altuve are the team’s longest-tenured position players and, before this homestand, Altuve pleaded with the franchise to make re-signing Bregman a priority.
Astros fans give Alex Bregman a warm ovation as he comes off the field for potentially the last time during a regular season home game 👏 pic.twitter.com/NtJudpqG8k
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 25, 2024
“I don’t see any chances of him leaving,” Altuve told The Athletic earlier this month. “That might be just me. I really think that, at the end of the season, our front office people, GM and ownership (are) going to get a deal done for him. I don’t think — I’m sure — that we are not only a better team with him, but we are a better organization with him. We really need to make it happen.”
Nothing in Jim Crane’s ownership tenure suggests the Astros will listen to Altuve and make a competitive offer to retain Bregman. Crane has never given anything longer than a five-year free-agent deal, nor has he guaranteed a player more than $151 million.
The six-year, $151 million contract extension Matt Chapman signed earlier this month should serve as a floor for Bregman’s negotiations. Chapman’s absence from the free-agent market will make Bregman the most sought-after third baseman — and perhaps the second-highest-paid position player this offseason behind Juan Soto. Chapman, Bregman and Altuve are all represented by Scott Boras.
Bidding Bregman a final home farewell does follow this franchise’s past precedent. Three years ago, during Houston’s final regular-season game at Minute Maid Park, former manager Dusty Baker concocted a similar scenario for shortstop Carlos Correa, allowing him one final walk off the home field in front of Houston’s fans.
Correa signed with the Minnesota Twins that winter. Soon, Bregman could follow suit and find a new home.
(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
