Alex Bregman receives heartfelt farewell in Astros' last regular-season game at Minute Maid Park

HOUSTON — In what could possibly be his closing regular-season game at Minute Maid Park, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman acquired a rousing sendoff from the one fan base and franchise he’s ever identified.

Before the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game in opposition to the Seattle Mariners, Bregman ran out to his place at third base. None of his teammates adopted. Lil’ Troy’s “Wanna Be a Baller” — one in every of Bregman’s many walk-out songs — blared whereas the Minute Maid Park jumbotron centered simply on the franchise cornerstone.

Manager Joe Espada emerged from the dugout to take away Bregman for a defensive substitute. When he did, the gang serenaded Bregman with a standing ovation as he left the sphere. Bregman doffed his cap to the gang, hugged hitting coach Alex Cintrón and descended into the dugout to greet his teammates.

Bregman is anticipated to check free company after this season, his ninth as an Astro. He and Jose Altuve are the crew’s longest-tenured place gamers and, earlier than this homestand, Altuve pleaded with the franchise to make re-signing Bregman a precedence.

Astros followers give Alex Bregman a heat ovation as he comes off the sphere for doubtlessly the last time throughout an everyday season residence game 👏 pic.twitter.com/NtJudpqG8k
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 25, 2024

“I don’t see any chances of him leaving,” Altuve advised The Athletic earlier this month. “That might be just me. I really think that, at the end of the season, our front office people, GM and ownership (are) going to get a deal done for him. I don’t think — I’m sure — that we are not only a better team with him, but we are a better organization with him. We really need to make it happen.”

Nothing in Jim Crane’s possession tenure suggests the Astros will take heed to Altuve and make a aggressive supply to retain Bregman. Crane has by no means given something longer than a five-year free-agent deal, nor has he assured a participant greater than $151 million.

The six-year, $151 million contract extension Matt Chapman signed earlier this month ought to function a flooring for Bregman’s negotiations. Chapman’s absence from the free-agent market will make Bregman essentially the most sought-after third baseman — and maybe the second-highest-paid place participant this offseason behind Juan Soto. Chapman, Bregman and Altuve are all represented by Scott Boras.

Bidding Bregman a closing residence farewell does observe this franchise’s previous precedent. Three years in the past, throughout Houston’s closing regular-season game at Minute Maid Park, former supervisor Dusty Baker concocted an analogous situation for shortstop Carlos Correa, permitting him one closing stroll off the house discipline in entrance of Houston’s followers.

Correa signed with the Minnesota Twins that winter. Soon, Bregman may observe swimsuit and discover a new residence.

(Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images)