Astros mates hope Alex Bregman returns

HOUSTON – Alex Bregman walked into the home clubhouse at Minute Maid Park with his head held high Wednesday afternoon after the Tigers eliminated the Astros from the American League Wild Card Series. The setting of the Astros’ clubhouse appeared like the last day of school for the pending free agent and his teammates.

Players and coaches were saying goodbye one final time after the 2024 season came to an end. Hand shakes were handed out while hugs were exchanged.

Bregman walked to the Astros’ postseason backdrop wearing his Astros hat and Astros dri-fit long sleeve shirt. Before reflecting on the mercurial season, Bregman started by congratulating his former manager A.J. Hinch and the Tigers. Moreover, Bregman addressed the team one last time.

Leader on, off the field

“What I told the guys after the game was I was just super proud of the fight in the room all year long,” Bregman said after the 5-2 loss. “A lot of guys grew, got better, continued to compete. Some guys this season didn’t start the way they wanted to, kept battling, and it was an honor to play with this group.

“Every year is different, every team is different. But this team, this is one of the funnest seasons I’ve had. Having to dig ourselves out of a hole, continued to compete all year long, really proud of the growth from the younger guys. Didn’t end the way we wanted, but you know that’s baseball, and it’s what keeps you coming back for more.”

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Hunter Brown, a native of Detroit, grew up a Tigers fan. In his first postseason start, Brown threw 5 2/3 innings allowing a run on two hits, two walks, and nine strikeouts against his hometown team.

The hard-throwing righty took a big leap in his second full season in the Astros’ rotation. Since June 1, Hunter Brown was tied for third in wins (10), second in ERA (2.31) and opponent slugging percentage (.300) in the American League. Bregman was outspoken and encouraged Brown to increase his sinker usage.

Brown’s sinker was thrown only five times last year. This season, the sinker was the second most thrown pitch in his six-pitch arsenal. It was highly effective against hitters.

‘Special, special human’

“Alex Bregman is a special, special human and special player,” Brown said. “I hope I get to see him back next year. That’s all I got to say.”

Jeremy Peña spent three seasons with Bregman on the right side of the diamond. When Carlos Correa signed with the Minnesota Twins after his final season in Houston, Peña became the Astros’ starting shortstop.

Thank you Houston

— Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1) October 3, 2024

In 2022, Peña became the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove Award. In addition, the Dominican speedster won the World Series and was awarded the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.

“He’s been great to me since the first day,” Pena said of Bregman. “I feel like Breggy kinda took me under his wing. Whenever I need advice, Breggy’s probably one of the first people I can reach out to. I feel like he’ll pick up every single time. Not just a great teammate you know I consider him a friend as well.”

Jose Altuve confident Bregman returns

Alex Bregman signed a 5-year, $100 million contract extension in March 2019. He has been a part of the organization for nine years. The 2018 All-Star-Game MVP is tied for fifth in hit by pitches (58), sixth in home runs (191), seventh in doubles (265), eighth in runs (694), and 9th in RBIs (663) in franchise history. Bregman ranks second in postseason games (98) behind Astros great Jose Altuve (104).

In addition, the 2015 second overall pick holds the MLB record for 19 career postseason home runs and 54 career postseason RBIs for a third baseman.

Altuve and Bregman are the longest-tenured position players on the club’s roster since 2016. Altuve, the nine-time All-Star, has seen his past teammates test free agency and sign with other clubs. George Springer left Houston and signed with the Blue Jays. Correa signed with the Twins.

Altuve is very adamant that Bregman will remain an Astro. He is willing to talk to Astros owner Jim Crane about keeping the two-time All-Star.

“I don’t want to get to the idea of thinking about the last game with Breggy,” Altuve said. “Like I said two weeks ago, I’m pretty confident he’s going to be our third baseman next year. We have to. We’re not gonna be the same organization without him. In my mind there’s not a chance this is the last game.

“The guy hits. He means a lot, he gave a lot to this organization, so now it’s time for us as a team, as an organization, to pay him back and make him stay here.”

A franchise core piece

In his first season as Astros general manager, Dana Brown stated he wanted to lock up the Astros’ core pieces, Altuve and Bregman. Brown signed Altuve to an extension before the start of this year and made him an Astro for life. Brown, a former MLB scout, has kept a close eye on Bregman since he was at LSU.

“Ultimately we want Bregman to stay,” Brown said prior to Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. “He’s done a lot of good things in this organization. … We’d love for him to stay. We hope we could get it done. As far as he’s a good teammate with Altuve. I could understand why Altuve really would love to have him here too.”

Alex Bregman made his major league debut at the age of 21 against the Yankees. He made the American League Championship Series in each season with the Astros except this year. The two-time World Series champion has a decision to make in his first offseason as a free agent.

“I hope so,” Bregman smiled when asked if hopes to be back. “We’ll see what happens.”

^{Cover art courtesy of Houston Astros.}