Alex Bregman's latest Instagram post feels like ploy to rope Tigers back into rumors

Are the Tigers in or out on Alex Bregman? The truth is that no one has any idea, and we won't until he finally signs a contract. Most signs are pointing to "no" — the "nasty turn" in negotiations last year, the Tigers being lukewarm on him this year — but Scott Harris could publicly say "We're not going to sign Alex Bregman" and there would still be doubts.

Bregman's free agency is looking like it'll be just as endless as it was last offseason, and interest is starting to dwindle. Neither the Tigers nor Cubs are nearly as invested in him this year, if they're invested at all. The Red Sox are still in the mix and the Diamondbacks have come up as a suitor while Ketel Marte rumors swirl, but there just isn't the same demand on this go-around.

But that won't stop Bregman or Scott Boras from trying to set off some alarms to try to kick the actual suitors into gear.

Bregman posted a carousel of training photos on Instagram on Wednesday, one of which conspicuously included the Tigers' very own Spencer Torkelson — who is also represented by Boras. Torkelson reshared the picture on his Instagram story. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Alex Bregman's Instagram post featuring Spencer Torkelson is definitely going to get exhausting Tigers rumors started again

All of this sounds like tinfoil hat stuff, we know, but everyone has to be skeptical about everything in the offseason. Again, Harris could try to put Bregman rumors to bed (which he won't), but he still might be fully believed. The picture could've been totally innocuous, but we still have to give it a side-eye.

Tigers players, for their part, have been supportive of a renewed chase. Tarik Skubal said at the GM Meetings that Bregman is someone he'd love to play with, and it's always been clear that signing Bregman and showing that Detroit is willing to spend again could be a huge factor in convincing Skubal to stay (or come back).

For now, we're more than happy to work off of the assumption that Bregman will not be wearing the Old English D next year, because it's better than exhausting ourselves waiting in suspense. It would certainly be helpful to Tigers' fans mental health if he stopped dropping breadcrumbs like this and just signed with a team. Come on, man, please.