Earlier this month, Alex Bregman was awarded a Gold Glove for his protection at third base. He has been an All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and a World Collection champion, however this was the primary Gold Glove of his nine-year profession. The respect was effectively deserved. In keeping with Baseball Savant, Bregman set new profession highs in Outs Above Common (OAA) and Fielding Run Worth (FRV). The metrics at FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus agree he was essentially the most useful defensive third baseman within the American League. But, Bregman’s agent Scott Boras revealed on the GM conferences this week that a number of groups have requested about his consumer’s willingness to maneuver to second base – and Boras confirmed that Bregman would certainly be keen to make the change (per Bob Nightengale of USA As we speak).
It’s not essentially stunning that Bregman can be amenable to switching positions. Further versatility will solely make him extra interesting as a free agent. The extra suitors he can appeal to, the more cash he can command. Comparable studies got here out this week about fellow high free agent Willy Adames, a proficient shortstop who can be keen to maneuver to second or third base on the proper deal. Furthermore, it’s not as if Bregman can be fully new to the keystone. He performed a handful of video games at second base in every of his first three MLB seasons. He additionally has loads of expertise at shortstop from faculty and his early skilled years.
What’s barely extra stunning is the truth that groups can be fascinated by Bregman taking part in second base within the first place. He’s a adequate hitter that his bat may play wherever across the diamond, however he’s an skilled third baseman coming off the perfect defensive season of his profession. It’s arduous to think about his glove can be fairly as useful at a brand new place – nor would his bat essentially play any higher at second base. Traditionally, second base has been a weaker offensive place than third, however the hole has practically disappeared during the last two years. From 2023-24, second basemen have produced a .308 wOBA. Third baseman have put up a .309 wOBA in that point. Lastly, there’s extra competitors on the free agent market at second base than third. Adames and Ha-Seong Kim can play each positions, however every has extra large league expertise at second. As well as, two of MLBTR’s high 50 free brokers are major second basemen: Gleyber Torres and Hyeseong Kim. Bregman is the one major third baseman on our high 50 record.
However, Bregman has by no means had an excellent arm for a 3rd baseman. What’s extra, it’s fairly attainable he would have been a second baseman all alongside if it weren’t for Jose Altuve blocking the place in Houston. Contemplating Bregman’s arm seemed weaker than ordinary in 2024 (and that he simply had surgical procedure on his throwing elbow), maybe a few of his suitors suppose he’ll be a greater defender at second base in the long term. Alternatively, they could simply be hedging their bets in case his elbow issues linger into subsequent season.
Regardless, Bregman continues to be most strongly linked to Houston this offseason. GM Dana Brown advised reporters (together with Jon Heyman of the New York Submit) on the GM Conferences that he thinks the Astros have “a extremely good probability” of re-signing their homegrown star. In that case, there is no such thing as a doubt he would resume his duties on the sizzling nook in 2025. Altuve is coming off one other All-Star season at second, and the face of the Astros franchise is underneath contract for one more 5 years and $125 million.
