The World Series is about to kick off between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, and once it ends, it will be go-time for the Houston Astros.
Houston has a lot of talent but also has a very difficult decision to make. The Astros have been one of the best teams in recent memory and put together a dynasty. Much of the original core is still together, but one of the biggest pieces is about to enter free agency.
Star third baseman Alex Bregman will be a free agent this winter, and there is no way to know if he will be back in Houston in 2025. There have been rumors and speculation he would sign elsewhere, and also others saying he was going to re-sign. It is all chatter right now with nothing to show for it.
With free agency approaching, some have started to speculate who could replace Bregman in the case that he leaves. FanSided’s Chris Landers put together an intriguing idea in which the Astros would sign Yankees All-Star Gleyber Torres and move him to third base to replace Bregman.
“Hear me out here. No, Torres isn’t about to supplant Jose Altuve at second base,” Landers said. “But with so many balls in the air this winter and a very thin third-base market, it seems increasingly unlikely that Houston will be able to bring back Alex Bregman. There aren’t a ton of replacement options via free agency or the trade market, but why not get creative and shift Torres over to the hot corner?
“He dabbled at the position as a Minor Leaguer, and the New York Yankees briefly considered a move when the team acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr. at the trade deadline. Torres is already a bit stretched as a middle infielder due to his limited range, and a move to third could ease the burden some while still giving the Astros an above-average bat at the position. If Bregman is indeed out the door, Brown’s choices will be limited, and this might be the best one available.”
Torres would be much less expensive as he is projected to get a three-year deal worth just over $20 million. But it could make a lot of sense. The two-time All-Star struggled early on this season, but once they moved him to the lead-off spot, he looked like his old self again.
He is just 27 years old and has four seasons under his belt with at least 24 home runs under his belt and another with 15 this year. Changing positions is difficult, but it’s worth looking into.
