“If I had to bet right now, I would have to bet the Astros in this negotiation. Even though they made their offer, six-years, $156 million…if Alex Bregman goes back, apparently he’d play third, [Isaac] Paredes would move to second, and Jose Altuve would move to left field. Altuve said ‘I will do this. I want Alex Bregman on my team.’’

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, if the Astros were able to re-sign Bregman to a long-term extension, they are willing to reshape their defense to have him return to third base. Heyman reported on Friday that the team could look to move new addition Isaac Paredes to second base while shifting Jose Altuve to left field,

While most signs point to Alex Bregman joining a new club this offseason, he reportedly could be back in Houston next year. According to USA Today's

There are still plenty of free agents waiting to sign and trade candidates waiting to move, and as such there will be no shortage of activity between now and the start of camp. Speaking of all that, here now are Friday's hot stove rumors.

Isaac Paredes ranks ninth on MLB Network's Top 10 Third Basemen Right Now list after recording a .346 OBP with 19 home runs in 2024

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are reportedly "finalizing" a deal that will send closer Ryan Pressly to Chicago "pending medical review," per ESPN's

Free agent Alex Bregman could be back at 3rd base for the Astros if 2nd baseman Jose Altuve is willing to make a key move

On the January 24 edition of "The Leadoff Spot" Bowden suggested that if Bregman were to re-sign with the Houston Astros, the Yankees could try and acquire third baseman Isaac Paredes.

This is the second trade the Cubs and Astros made this offseason. The Cubs acquired outfielder Kyle Tucker in the middle of December, sending infielders Isaac Paredes and Cam Smit

Plus more on how the Astros could defensively accommodate Alex Bregman's return, Paul Skenes' next steps and other offseason info.

The Red Sox continue to be engaged with free-agent infielder Alex Bregman, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. There is a caveat to Boston's interest, however, as the Red Sox would prefer any agreement to be of the short-term variety -- meaning,

If Houston brought Bregman back, it would create a crowded situation in the infield. They traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes before signing free agent first baseman Christian Walker this offseason.