They’ve been enamored with Walker for the better part of 2 years now but they did give Bregman the first offer (as they did with Correa 3 years ago). Its not the teams fault that they read the market right. I don’t think they intended to go into the Tucker trade to “replace Bregman”, but once Bregman continued to stand pat while Walker was willing to sign, the team moved on. Much like Bregman, the other two (Teoscar/Santander) haven’t signed because there really isn’t a bidding war and nobody is meeting their primary demands.
I'm wondering, if Bregman accepted the offer would it still have been Paredes in the trade back to play 1st and then no Walker? If that's the case I'd rather have Walker than Bregman.
Another interesting thought. Did the money the Astros offer Bregman go to Walker or is that amount still in play? If it is then I could see the Stros getting Santander on a 3/65 deal. I'm sure the Stros would prefer to go no more than 2 but 3 would seem like a good compromise instead of 4 or 5 years and over $100 mil.
According to Cots contracts, the Astros have less than $4.4M available under the 1st CBT. Until recently, I swore it is impossible for the Astros to fill the holes on this team and remain under the CBT. However after listening to Crane and Bown and reading between the lines, I think they are determined to stay under and reset. I don't see them adding anyone for over $10-12M and even then, not unless they trade away salary. And they need to keep about $5M for the trade deadline.
Tigers spending money in the infield??? Don’t think they will keep spending. They aren’t that kind of team. Breg now down to Mets and BoSox.
They have Colt Kieth (who they gave an extension to last season), Jace Jung (a top prospect), and Spencer Torkelson (former #1 overall pick) slated for infield spots and none of them play SS (where they have overpaid Javier Baez and underrated Trey Sweeney). Tough to see how they make room for Bregman unless they are cutting/trading Torkelson (very unlikely). Bregman still has a healthy market, with Boston, Toronto and the Mets all likely still involved and technically able to afford him. The Mets signing Alonso would probably put them out of the mix for Bregman. I think Bregman got caught waiting for Burnes to sign.
I still think Red Sox, but the longer it goes, the more I think it favors Toronto. I agree Tigers are out now, if they were ever in. Torres moves Keith to 3b.
Colt Keith, their young 2B might move to 3B where he spent half his time in the minors. Unless they move on from Javier Baez and eat that $73M, their IF is pretty well set. Trading Framber or Pressly is the only other option. And Pressly may invoke his 10/5 rights. If they aren't going to pay the luxury tax, you can't plug the OF gaps without trading one of those 2.
This is why I am worried that they may end up just starting the season with the current roster. The other option is maybe a bad contract for bad contract trade. Montero for a veteran who makes $10-15M over 1-2 years and has hurt or not been good? Then hope for a rebound? Need to see who that may be.
Can't wait for the Astros to re-sign Bregman after all of this (some of it deferred) and move Parades to 2B... Altuve moving to the OF like the great Craig Biggio
Bregman to the Tigers just makes too much sense right now. I truly believe this is the destination (unless he doesn't want to spend the next half decade in Detroit).
Torkelson does still have an option year left. Tigers have Carpenter at DH. It would be cool if Houston traded for Carpenter.
