Astros add wrinkle to Bregman negotiations while GM gets real about closer situation
A NEW TWIST
30 January
How much longer will the Astros wait on Bregman? Composite Getty Image.
As the Astros and their fans wait on Alex Bregman to pick his next team, reports continue to surface about what it will take financially to seal the deal.
The Blue Jays reportedly have a 6-year deal on the table for Breggy, as well as the 'Stros. Bregman's agent Scott Boras has reportedly told teams that Houston's offer isn't enough to get a deal done, claiming the offer requires Alex to take a pay cut on a per-year basis.
But Bregman and his representation can't have it both ways. At least not if he wants to return to H-Town. If they want the security of a 6-year guaranteed contract, Houston isn't going to pay full price on a per-year basis too.
When GM Dana Brown spoke to the media this week, he mentioned that he needed to respond to a text from Boras. He also said the team is speaking internally about the ripple effect that would occur from signing Breggy. Which Brown says could include Jose Altuve playoff some left field.
Phone tag
Brown's casual approach to returning Boras' text makes a lot of sense to us. At this point, the offer is the offer. There's really nothing else to say to Boras. Either they're taking the deal or he's signing somewhere else.
Which feels like the right way to approach the situation. If Bregman isn't satisfied with 6-years, $156 million, then he should prepare to play elsewhere.
One has to wonder how long the Brown and the Astros will let this play out, with spring training right around the corner.
Plan B in free agency
Another thing we learned from Brown's presser was that he still views adding a left-handed bat as a priority. Which checks out, considering Chandler Rome is reporting that the Astros may have interest in signing switch hitter Jorge Polanco. Even though Polanco is an infielder by trade, many believe he could be an option in left field for Houston. Sound familiar?
The club's reported interest in Polanco could also be a leverage play by Brown. Signaling to Boras and Bregman that the team could pivot at any given moment.
Sour grapes?
We also discovered that Ryan Pressly wasn't too keen on being demoted to a setup role when the Astros signed Josh Hader last offseason. Pressly kept things professional, but Brown said things were never the same between him and Pressly after adding Hader.
One has to wonder if, in private moments, Pressly felt justified after Hader was such a disappointment in his first season with Houston.
This is one video you don't want to miss as the crew from Stone Cold 'Stros breaks it all down!
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Lance McCullers Jr. finally got some peace of mind on Tuesday night.
The Astros right-hander pitched six scoreless innings to get his first win since Sept. 21, 2022, as Houston beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0. McCullers missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons because of injuries and had not won in five starts this year since being activated from the injured list on May 4.
Lance McCullers Jr.'s stuff was nasty tonight 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ZjzZTDJZkl
— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2025
McCullers (1-1) struck out seven and walked one while outdueling Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who gave up one run — on a solo homer by Christian Walker in the seventh — in eight innings.
“It took a while, but we got there,” McCullers said of getting the win. “I’m just happy that I’m kind of back in the mix with the guys, and I’m able to give them legitimate opportunities to win.”
McCullers was also happy to have a difficult off-field situation behind him.
A drunken bettor who made online death threats aimed at McCullers’ family lives overseas and told Houston police he was sorry for what he had done, a department spokesperson said Monday.
McCullers received the threats on social media directed at his children after a poor start against the Cincinnati Reds on May 10 in which he allowed seven runs while recording only one out.
The Astros said Houston police and MLB security were notified. McCullers and his wife Kara have two young daughters. Astros owner Jim Crane hired 24-hour security for them.
Police public information officer Erika Ramirez said the man who made the threats was identified during an investigation. Because no charges have been filed, police are not disclosing his identity or where he lives.
“I don’t want to keep on about it, but a lot of thanks go to the Astros, the Astros security, Jim Crane, MLB security, my teammates, the HPD,” McCullers said. “Having resolution is nice. Not being close to Houston is nice. The fans are super supportive, too, and I appreciate that. It’s good that it’s behind us and our family feels safe again.”
The man told police that he would like to apologize to McCullers for the threats. McCullers said he would accept.
“As a follower of Christ and called to love our neighbor and forgive, I would be open to that,” he said.
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