With the strong possibility that Alex Bregman will be playing in a different uniform after the offseason, the Houston Astros are going to have to address their third base situation. Sure, there is definitely a chance that Bregman returns, especially if Jose Altuve has anything to say about it, but Houston coming up with the cash to actually make that happen is far from certain. That could mean the Astros will need to get creative.
Complicating the Astros’ plans is the fact that the third base free agent class this offseason is pretty grim. Eugenio Suarez seemed like an interesting option that would have definitely cost less than Bregman, but it seems very possible that the Diamondbacks will pick up his $15 million club option, considering Jordan Lawlar hasn’t exactly impressed in the big leagues yet.
An Astros trade for Nolan Arenado could actually work, but there are some obstacles to overcome
Arenado’s résumé as a player is beyond reproach. Aside from being one of the best defensive third basemen of his generation, Arenado is also an eight-time All-Star and has put together multiple MVP-level seasons in his illustrious career. While he does seem to be past his prime, as his .272/.325/.394 line from 2024 would suggest, he is still a very productive player with loads of experience, and one wonders if he could turn back the clock if he wasn’t playing on what has turned into a pretty mediocre Cardinals team.
Another point in Arenado’s favor is his remaining contract. While the total value of his existing deal was pretty eye-popping, he is only due $21 million in 2025 and is due even less the next two seasons ($16 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027). His luxury tax number could be a bit problematic, but it would certainly be cheaper than Bregman, and the Cardinals might be motivated to get those luxury tax savings as well.
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