HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — With every free agent contract handed out, the price for Alex Bregman seems to rise. Juan Soto received $765 million from the New York Mets. Pitcher Max Fried just signed a contract with the Yankees for a reported $218 million over eight years. Now attention turns to Bregman, one of the top targets on the free agent market.

The Astros third baseman has been linked to teams like the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies.

General manager Dana Brown told reporters at baseball’s winter meetings that he is “optimistic” that the Astros will find a way to keep Bregman in an Astros uniform.

However, the team is also holding high-level meetings to plan a future without Bregman if he decides to sign with another team.

“We have to, right? “Alex Bregman will do what’s best for him, his career and his family,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “We have to keep that in mind.”

Astros star Kyle Tucker won’t become a free agent until the end of Season 25, but many are already questioning his long-term future in Houston. Soto’s huge contract leads many to believe that Tucker will sign for $350-400 million next winter. That far exceeds any contract the Astros have ever handed out, so it might make sense to trade Tucker now for a significant haul rather than receive nothing in return when he leaves in free agency.

The Astros counter any thought of an immediate rebuilding project with a commitment to win again next season.

Espada admits that the team is “exploring all possibilities.”

“Our goal is to win the division and take this team back to the World Series,” Espada said.

To learn more about this story, follow Greg Bailey on Facebook. X and Instagram.