Introduction to Alex Bregman’s Struggles
There’s a sign outside of McDonald’s that keeps track of the millions and millions of hamburgers they’ve sold. Similarly, a sign outside Minute Maid Park could track the millions of dollars Alex Bregman is losing due to his worst season in his contract year. The third baseman’s performance has been underwhelming, prompting jokes about him signing an endorsement deal with Rice Krispies as part of Snap, Crackle, and Pop Out.
Bregman’s Disappointing Season
Bregman went 0-4 against the Yankees, dropping his batting average below .200, a territory typically associated with Martin Maldonado. Despite entering the season claiming to be in the best shape of his life and promising big things for 2024, his performance has been lackluster. He stated, “My body feels in incredible shape. Swing feels better than ever. And looking forward to a great, healthy season. And I expect to have the best season I’ve ever had.” However, his current batting average of .195 tells a different story.
Contract Speculation
Astros general manager Dana Brown assured fans that the team would offer Bregman a contract to stay with the Astros, saying, “Look, we love Alex, we’d love to have him here. As far as a timeline, we just don’t have it, but we will at some point make him an offer. We know how good he is and how good he’s been for this franchise.” However, it seems unlikely that the Astros will put a contract on the table for Bregman anytime soon. In fact, it’s been joked that Godot will show up before the Astros make an offer, referencing the character from Waiting for Godot who never appears.
Bregman’s Statistics
With the season nearly a quarter over, Bregman’s statistics are underwhelming. He has been hitting at the top of the order, either in the No. 2 spot or cleanup, but has only managed 6 runs, 11 RBI, and one home run. His power outage is a concern, and his average has dwindled from .216 to .195 in his last 10 games.
Trends and Projections
Bregman’s hitting woes are part of a five-year trend. Since his best season in 2019, where he hit .296 and smacked 41 home runs, his performance has declined. The trend is as follows:
- 2020: .242 and 6 home runs (Covid season)
- 2021: .270 and 12 home runs
- 2022: .259 and 23 home runs
- 2023: .262 and 25 home runs
If Bregman’s struggles continue, this will be his fifth below-average season in a row. The chances of him getting a super long-term deal worth $200 million-plus when he hits free agency at the end of this season are slim to none.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alex Bregman’s struggles at the plate are a concern for the Astros and his own career prospects. With his contract year not going as planned, it’s unlikely he’ll receive the lucrative deal he was hoping for. As things stand, Bregman has a better chance of becoming a latex salesman than signing a $200 million-plus contract. Only time will tell if he can turn his season around and prove his worth to the Astros and potential future teams.
