This story was excerpted from Brian McTaggart¡¯s Astros Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

HOUSTON -- The future of free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman will be the dominating topic when Astros general manager Dana Brown and his top baseball lieutenants arrive in Dallas early next week for baseball¡¯s annual Winter Meetings at the Hilton Anatole.

The Astros have already offered Bregman a six-year deal worth around $156 million, a source told MLB.com earlier this week. Bregman is believed to be seeking a deal closer to $200 million, which probably prices out the Astros considering their stance on not offering massive deals. There may be no movement on Bregman¡¯s future until baseball¡¯s top free agent, Juan Soto, decides his future.

If the Astros are unable to keep Bregman, third base becomes their biggest offseason need. They also would like to beef up production at first base, add a relief pitcher and perhaps a starting pitcher, as well.

Astros manager Joe Espada will address the media in a press conference Monday afternoon, and Brown will meet with the media on Monday and Tuesday to take questions from reporters.

The rumor mill will be circulating as the Winter Meetings take place from Sunday through Wednesday in Dallas. Follow comprehensive coverage via MLB.com, Astros.com and MLB Network.

Key events

? Sunday, Dec. 8: Hall of Fame Classic Baseball Era Committee results released
? Tuesday, Dec. 10: MLB Draft Lottery
? Wednesday, Dec. 11: Rule 5 Draft

Club needs

The conversation starts with Bregman. He¡¯s been a cornerstone player and a leader on a Houston team that won four AL pennants and two World Series titles from 2017-22. If the Astros are able to sign Bregman, they will most likely choose to platoon at first base with Jon Singleton and Zach Dezenzo.

? Hot Stove roundup: Every rumor, signing and trade

If Bregman leaves, the Astros could choose to spend money at first base, where three-time Gold Glove winner Christian Walker would be a nice fit. The Astros can spend on a big-time free agent or trade acquisition at first base or third base, but not both. Houston also would like a relief pitcher and some starting pitching depth behind a rotation anchored by Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti.

Potential trade candidates

The Astros have been getting a lot of calls about trades but are reluctant to deal any Major League talent. That doesn¡¯t mean they won¡¯t do it. The addition of Josh Hader in January and Bryan Abreu¡¯s emergence have made veteran reliever Ryan Pressly -- who is set to earn $14 million next season -- a potential trade candidate. The right-hander has a full no-trade clause in his contract, so he will have some say in his next destination, assuming he even approves a deal.

Pressly hasn¡¯t been as dominant over the past two years as he had been during his All-Star seasons of 2019 and '21, but he would be a bullpen upgrade -- and a short-term commitment -- for a lot of teams. Outfielders Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers are also drawing interest. Would the Astros consider trading outfielder Kyle Tucker or starter Valdez a year before they hit free agency?

Prospects to know

If the Astros do decide to trade either McCormick or Meyers, that would create an opportunity for top prospect Jacob Melton, an outfielder who¡¯s ranked as MLB¡¯s No. 89 prospect. He split last season between Double-A Corpus Christi (58 games) and Triple-A Sugar Land (47 games) and slashed .253/.310/.426 with 15 homers, 54 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. He posted a .748 OPS with Corpus Christi (58 games) and .719 with Sugar Land (47 games) and spent time at all three outfield spots, playing mostly center field.

Rule 5 Draft

With one open spot on the 40-man roster, the Astros aren¡¯t likely to make a selection in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. The chances of them losing a player or two, though, is possible. An intriguing name to watch is right-hander Alex Santos II, who was the club¡¯s top pick (supplemental second round) in the 2020 MLB Draft as a New York City high schooler. His stuff and control have regressed since he turned pro and he missed most of last season with elbow problems. But he bounced back to top the Arizona Fall League in strikeouts (26 in 17 2/3 innings) while showcasing a mid-90s fastball, upper-80s cutter and a low-80s slider. The Astros have three players in their Top 30 prospects rankings who will be eligible to be drafted: right-handers Alimber Santa (No. 16) and Rhett Kouba (No. 24) and outfielder Colin Barber (No. 30).

Burning questions: Will Houston re-sign Bregman?

The Astros have called re-signing Bregman their top offseason priority. He is the second-best position player on the market behind Soto, so he may have to wait until Soto signs to get a clearer picture of his future. The Astros desperately want Bregman back -- and second baseman Jose Altuve has pleaded for his return -- but it will come down to money. Astros owner Jim Crane has never guaranteed more than five years to a free agent, and the biggest deal he¡¯s given to any player is the $151 million that Altuve received with his extension in 2018. It will take a club-record deal to keep Bregman in Houston.