Alex Bregman remains a free agent, with the Astros and Cubs among potential remaining suitors for the third baseman. Chicago already has acquired two players from Houston's championship era in Ryan Pressly and Kyle Tucker via separate trades.

The Houston Astros are now considered the favorites to win the Alex Bregman sweepstakes in free agency this winter.

Alex Bregman is one of the top names left on the free agent market, but the Boston Red Sox don't appear to be in the running.

Increasingly, signs point to the possibility of the Houston Astros bringing back free-agent infielder (and Astros lifer) Alex Bregman. The club cleared some payroll space by reportedly agreeing to trade reliever Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs,

With Bregman weighing his options, the Astros could look to target a less expensive player in Polanco who is coming off knee surgery.

Months later, Bregman remains unsigned, and a resolution with his free agency does not appear any closer. Among the teams that have been linked to Bregman in reports include the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. But the reality is that none of the teams listed are close to signing the All-Star infielder.

The Detroit Tigers reportedly have competition from the Houston Astros, Alex Bregman's former team, in the pursuit for the free agent third baseman.

As the Houston Astros work to re-sign Alex Bregman, they are also showing "strong interest" in other options, including veteran infielder Jorge

Given the latest reporting on the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, Boston Red Sox broadcaster Lou Merloni is ready to move on.

If Bregman is back in Houston, team sources indicated he would play third base in place of Isaac Paredes, whom the Astros acquired as part of the three-player package for Tucker. In that scenario, both Paredes and Altuve could face a position change.

The Astros front office continues to hold those internal discussions as they look for something that can make sense for the team and their All-Star third baseman.