GM Dana Brown has assured fans that a major blockbuster deal involving a superstar talent is on the horizon! Astros third baseman is just weeks away from his first opportunity to become a free agent, but there’s a possibility he might not reach the open market. General manager Dana Brown discussed the situation with Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, expressing hope to engage Bregman soon.
“We were in Anaheim recently, and I spoke with [agent Scott Boras],” Brown shared. “We agreed that once the season wraps up, we’ll definitely discuss it further. We had a brief conversation, but there are no current contract talks. We both agreed to reconnect.”
Since becoming GM in January 2023, Brown has consistently mentioned the team’s intention to negotiate a new deal with Bregman. The third baseman signed a five-year, $100 million extension in 2019, and as that agreement nears its end, discussions about a new contract are expected.
Finalizing a deal now may be challenging but not impossible. Although it’s commonly thought that Boras clients rarely sign extensions, there are exceptions; for example, Matt Chapman recently signed a six-year, $151 million contract with the Giants to avoid free agency.
Bregman could potentially secure a better deal than Chapman. Both players have shown similar value on the field in recent years, with Bregman excelling offensively while Chapman offers superior defense. However, Bregman is a year younger, which may work in his favor. Both had standout seasons in 2018 and 2019, though both have seen some decline since while remaining above average.
During that peak period, Bregman posted a .291/.409/.561 line for a 162 wRC+, whereas Chapman had a .263/.348/.507 line and a 132 wRC+. Although Chapman contributed more defensively, Bregman outperformed him overall with 16.2 wins above replacement compared to Chapman’s 11.9.
Since 2020, their performance has been closely matched. Bregman has hit .260/.350/.442 with a 124 wRC+, while Chapman has a .231/.321/.434 line and a 112 wRC+. Chapman has made up some ground with superior baserunning and defense, tallying 44 Defensive Runs Saved and 33 Outs Above Average, compared to Bregman’s 10 DRS and 13 OAA. Overall, Bregman has accumulated a 17 fWAR, just ahead of Chapman’s 16.7.
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