Alex Bregman Rumors: Rival Predicts Phillies to Sign Astros Free Agent | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Alex Bregman could be free this season.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, a rival evaluator predicted the Philadelphia Phillies would land the Houston Astros infielder. The 30-year-old has been with the Astros for his entire nine-year career.

Bregman has a five-year, $100 million contract with Houston and could earn a higher salary in 2025 as Spotrac gives him a market value of $30 million per year.

The Phillies have a projected payroll of $266.5 million heading into free agency, per Spotrac, which is the most in the majors. Olney noted that Philadelphia would have to take money off the books in the coming years, which could make signing Bregman a viable option.

Houston has made Bregman a qualifying offer of $21.05 million, although he will likely decline that offer and look for a long-term deal either with the Astros or elsewhere.

Bregman hit 26 home runs, 75 RBI and had a batting average of .260 over 145 games last season.

While the Phillies are a contender for Bregman, his current team appears eager to bring him back this season. After Houston’s wild-card exit in October, Astros star Jose Altuve spoke about the importance of retaining Bregman, who helped bring the organization two World Series.

“We won’t be the same organization without him,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez said. “I don’t think there’s any chance this is the last one.”

In early November, Astros general manager Dana Brown reiterated a similar message about Bregman’s importance to the team.

“The biggest priority is definitely third base,” Brown said, according to Martín Gallegos of MLB.com. “We would like to have Alex Bregman back. That is our biggest priority.”

Bregman’s value to the Astros is clear at this point. Now he waits to see what offers come his way in free agency.