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Things are quiet with the Astros on the free agency and trade front while the club awaits a decision on where and when free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman is going to sign. Astros general manager Dana Brown declined to say at last week¡¯s General Managers Meetings if an offer had been made but categorized the ongoing conversations with agent Scott Boras as optimistic.

¡°We had some really good, productive conversations,¡± Brown said from San Antonio last week. ¡°We would love for Alex to come back. He¡¯s been really good here. He¡¯s been an outstanding part of the winning here in Houston.¡±

Bregman, one of the top free agents on the market this winter, isn¡¯t expected to make a decision anytime soon. The Astros aren¡¯t in a position to wait indefinitely for a response from Bregman, considering the club¡¯s needs at other positions, such as first base and relief pitching. That could complicate things if Bregman¡¯s decision lingers into January.

¡°I think when players get to this point of being in free agency, they play all their career and a lot of these guys welcome free agency,¡± Brown said. ¡°The fact that he¡¯s going to hit free agency, we get it. We are in conversation with Scott to try to keep him.¡±

While speaking with reporters last week in San Antonio, Boras said Bregman had a bone chip removed from his right elbow via surgery after the season and could be swinging the bat ¡°here in a few weeks.¡± Bregman played through elbow pain and inflammation in the final month-plus of the regular season.

Bregman, who this month won the American League Rawlings Gold Glove at third base, has until 3 p.m. CT on Nov. 19 to accept or reject the Astros¡¯ $21.05 million qualifying offer for next season. He¡¯s almost assured to reject the offer and seek a multiyear deal on the open market.

Bregman, a mainstay on both of the Astros¡¯ World Series championship teams (2017 and ¡¯22), slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs in 2024, including an .838 OPS from May 9 to the end of the season.

¡°I think with Alex Bregman and his leadership, what he provides in the locker room, they clearly understand that the rarity of being in four World Series, being in the postseason eight years in a row and him being the centerpiece of that, they've certainly measured to me throughout the process that they're actively engaged. And as to what meeting markets and the demand for this kind of player, you just don't have many players on the dirt that [do] what he does,¡± Boras said. ¡°Also ... Bregman can play second base, third base, his leadership. So it's a market, certainly, that the Astros are very aware is very healthy for him.¡±

Brown said third base is ¡°without a doubt¡± the biggest priority for the Astros.

¡°Then, if we can do something to firm up production at first base and get some help in the outfield, maybe with a nice left-handed bat to work out with [Jake] Meyers and [Chas] McCormick, that would be good, as well,¡± Brown said. ¡°Then maybe add some more depth to the bullpen. ¡­ I¡¯m always in the market for starters, so if we have any opportunity to acquire starters through trade or what have you, we will do that as well.¡±