"It taints Alex Cora and few others" – MLB sportscaster believes Alex Bregman won’t be hurt by 2017 Astros cheating scandal in free agency
With free agency looming for Alex Bregman, will the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal be a factor in his next contract even though Bregman was not one of the players spotlighted as being part of the scheme?
MLB sportscaster Lee Hacksaw Hamilton discussed the scandal implications on Bregman's marketability and possible contract on his podcast Friday. Hamilton says the scandal may have hurt some reputations, but Bregman will likely be fine for free agency.
"No, I don't think that taints (Alex) Bregman at all. It taints a whole bunch of their (Houston Astros') front office people who lost their jobs and can't work in baseball anymore and you know, it taints (Alex) Cora and a few other people along the way," said Hamilton.
The scandal led to suspensions for important figures like former manager A.J. Hinch and bench coach Alex Cora, who was also linked to similar actions with the Boston Red Sox. Even with the controversy, Bregman has maintained his strong reputation as a player.
The Astros were caught up in a cheating scandal that was revealed in 2019. An inquiry discovered the team utilized an advanced video scouting methods to steal signals throughout their 2017 World Series campaign. This included using cameras to record signals from rival teams and communicating them to batters using different methods, such as hitting a trash can.
Bregman set for a major payday
Alex Bregman's ability to perform under pressure is well known. He has played in 99 postseason games by age 30, ranking high among MLB players historically for playoff performances.
Bregman hit .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs in 2024. Even though he saw a bit of a decrease in production from his peak years, his defensive skills were enough for him to win the first Gold Glove Award in 2024.
As Bregman enters free agency, several teams are already being mentioned as potential suitors. The Astros are reportedly keen on retaining him. The New York Yankees and New York Mets have also been mentioned as potential landing spots.
Reports suggest Bregman's representative, Scott Boras, is pursuing a contract that could surpass $200 million in total value. This prediction is in line with forecasts from different analysts who anticipate Bregman could negotiate a deal comparable to the contracts for top third basemen.