IMO you either get something worthwhile for him or you keep him. There is no way they get any amount of salary relief that makes up for his loss in the bullpen. It takes a return of talent or $10M+ that is then invested in a player worth $10M+ or else the team us worse off.
I agree with this and Alonso is not a fit because it's counterproductive to lose Walker's defense at 1b and put him in LF. It's Bregman or cheap veteran platoon filler like Verdugo, Cahna, or Heyward Edit: I forgot about Profar when posting this. I think Profar would be a good fit and upgrade but he will likely get much more than I would be willing commit. I'm thinking 2/$36M or 3/$48M
This is consistent with what I have heard in the past and what was said after the signing of Walker. The only part difference is Altuve in LF, I had heard that Altuve would not likely be an option in LF in 2025 but possibly at a later date.... and Paredes would play LF in that scenario. There are teams like the Blue Jays, Tigers, Yankees and Red Sox that have made offers but for less than what Bregman has viewed as his worth. It isn't inside information but it sure seems like Bregman expected that the Astros would go up some on their initial offer and the Astros did what they did with Correa and say that they made the offer in good faith and for what is the max they will pay him. I haven't heard that he has done this - but it is possible that he can cut the length of his deal with the Astros and increase his base salary slightly with perhaps an opt out early in the deal. Having said that - things would really have to line up really well and a lot of things would have to fall into place.... Pressly agreeing to a deal to the Cubs, Caratini dealt, and then Crane willing to modify his offer and Bregman turning down more money from several other teams. If the Astros were able to somehow bring Bregman back - it would really help round out the Astros offense.... but at the same time, if I am Dana Brown, and I like Profar's bat - I am going to say why not sign him to a shorter and less expensive deal and put him in Left. Unless something has changed - Arenado is possible as well, especially if the Cardinals decide that they cannot move him and eat another 6-8 million total.
Agree on Profar, but he just went to ATL. A return of Bregs, plus health of Garcia, LMJ and late season Javier might be the only thing that can stand in the way of the Dodgers.
I think the Nightengale post reads like Boras trying to use the Astros as leverage to get the Red Sox to pony up.