Astros plan to make Bregman extension offer: 'We love Alex'

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said his team plans to offer star third baseman Alex Bregman a contract extension.

"We love Alex, we'd love to have him here," Brown said Thursday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "As far as a timeline, we just don't have it, but we will at some point make him an offer. We know how good he is and how good he's been for this franchise. It would be tough to look out at third base and not see that elite defense."

Bregman, who can test free agency after the 2024 season when his six-year, $100-million contract is up, is represented by Scott Boras. Brown said he spoke with the super agent Wednesday when the Astros held a press conference to announce Jose Altuve's extension.

"In Alex's case, he's more in a normal free-agent dynamic that you would see age-wise," Boras said. "Obviously, that has more impact in the free-agent market for valuation and length of contract and all those things. He's a rather prestigious player."

The 29-year-old Bregman went deep 25 times with 98 RBIs and an .804 OPS over 161 games last season. The 2019 AL MVP runner-up has won two World Series titles during his eight-year run with Houston.