Potential Cubs offseason target may not even reach free agency after all

After an early postseason exit, the Houston Astros are preparing an offer for their star third baseman.

Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros
Seattle Mariners v Houston Astros / Tim Warner/GettyImages

For the first time since 2016, the Houston Astros will not play in the American League Championship Series. After getting swept at home by the surprising Detroit Tigers, Houston's focus now shifts to the offseason - and their efforts to retain the services of two-time All-Star Alex Bregman.

According to reports out of Houston, the team is expected to present Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, with a formal contract offer in the 'near future.' The floor in any sort of talks was likely set recently by the new deal between Matt Chapman and the San Francisco Giants at six years and $151 million.

That means, to keep Bregman from leaving in free agency, Astros owner Jim Crane will need to give him the richest deal in franchise history. I'm not saying it won't happen, but the club has avoided locking itself into too many high-dollar, long-term deals in recent years. And given the fact Bregman will likely be one of the most sought-after position players on the free-agent market, I don't suspect Boras is ready to entertain any sort of sweetheart deal for Houston.

Halfway through the season, the Cubs looked like a logical free-agent fit for Bregman given their need at third base. But a trade deadline pickup of Isaac Paredes muddies those waters and the path Jed Hoyer will take this winter now is anything but clear.

Paredes got off to a slow start after coming over from the Rays, but picked up steam as the second half drew to a close. He never recaptured his power stroke, a major concern for a team in need of more slug like the Cubs, but there's reason to believe dismal hitting conditions at Wrigley Field this year were a factor.

Bregman probably won't be Chicago's first $200 million man - there's just no evidence the team will go to those lengths on a free agent. But if he reaches free agency and doesn't re-up with Houston in the coming weeks, Hoyer will, if nothing else, check in on the two-time World Series champion given his team's need for added offensive firepower.

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