HOUSTON -- Despite the Astros¡¯ additions of infielder Isaac Paredes in a trade and first baseman Christian Walker in free agency this winter, the club still hasn¡¯t closed the door on a possible reunion with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.

Astros general manager Dana Brown acknowledged the team¡¯s continued interest in re-signing Bregman during the team¡¯s annual FanFest at Daikin Park on Saturday, saying the door was ¡°cracked¡± open while admitting it was a ¡°long shot.¡± Bringing Bregman back could create payroll and positional challenges for the Astros, but they are prepared to pivot if he accepts the offer that was made late last year.

¡°The interesting thing is when we made some trades and some moves this offseason, we never realized that Bregman would still be on the market at this time,¡± Brown said. ¡°I think we¡¯ve had some conversations, and I can leave it there. As I mentioned, the interesting thing is that he¡¯s still available. It¡¯s not as if we¡¯re not talking about it. We¡¯ve had some conversations.¡±

The Astros made Bregman a six-year, $156 million offer early in the offseason -- an offer which has remained on the table despite the trade that brought Paredes from the Cubs and the three-year, $60 million contract given to Walker. A source told MLB.com that the Astros wouldn¡¯t say ¡°no¡± if Bregman opted to accept the offer at this point.

¡°Obviously, there¡¯s some hurdles to get over, but I¡¯m still optimistic,¡± Astros manager Joe Espada said. ¡°He¡¯s still out there, he¡¯s still available. Would love to have him back.¡±

The Astros traded All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in early December in return for three players, including Paredes. They tried to trade for Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado in December, but Arenado exercised his no-trade clause. Days later, the Astros signed Walker and proclaimed at the time that Paredes would be the starter at third base.

With that in mind, signing Bregman would force the Astros to shuffle their infield -- they¡¯ve talked about moving second baseman Jose Altuve to left field, a source told MLB.com -- and they might have to shed some payroll to stay under MLB¡¯s second luxury tax threshold.

¡°There¡¯s not many guys we could shed payroll with,¡± Brown said. ¡°We¡¯re going with what we have if we get Bregman back.¡±

All these issues would be moot if Bregman signs elsewhere, but a reunion would be met with terrific approval in the clubhouse.

"As a teammate, I want him back,¡± Altuve said Saturday, adding that he'd indeed be willing to move to left field to accommodate Bregman. ¡°I said it. He's a big part of our team. He's definitely going to make this team better if he stays, so we're really praying and hoping he stays.¡±

Bregman has been a core player on the Astros¡¯ run of success in the past decade, which culminated with World Series titles in 2017 and 2022. Last year, he slashed .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs and won the Gold Glove Award at third base, and he¡¯s also become one of the club¡¯s biggest leaders. He¡¯s a pillar in the clubhouse.

¡°After losing every hope, to get some back again -- he¡¯s a perfect player for this team and hopefully he comes back,¡± Altuve said. ¡°It¡¯s not up to me, but if it was up to me, I would just pay him whatever and bring him back. I just want him to be back, that¡¯s the only thing I can say. Great teammate, great player and makes this team better.¡±

Brown said in December the team was moving on from Bregman after negotiations stalled, but things appear to have changed.

¡°This guy, he¡¯s such a good player and done so many wonderful things here,¡± Brown said. ¡°We¡¯re still with the cracked door and will see where our conversations lead to.¡±

Several of Bregman¡¯s teammates are keeping in contact with him during his offseason workouts in Arizona. Espada and Bregman have exchanged text messages and Espada has told the star third baseman that Houston is his home.

¡°This is his home and this is his family, but regardless of what he chooses, I respect it,¡± Espada said. ¡°I think he¡¯s earned the right to be in that moment and make the best decision for him and his family. We¡¯d love to have him here and have him finish his career as an Astro.¡±