ESPN insider hints last offseason might have Tigers fully out on Alex Bregman now

The New Year is quickly approaching, and with Alex Bregman still on the free-agent market, many are left wondering when Scott Boras will try to drag the Detroit Tigers into the mess that he created. It's a circus the Tigers know all too well, having been the side act last February, and it could be one they are hoping to avoid.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale seemed to be doing Boras' work last week, suggesting that the Tigers remain among the teams interested in the All-Star third baseman. As Nightengale has lazily done in the past, he seems to be doing his own math — based on last offseason's interest and the fact the Tigers still need a third baseman. But the overwhelming feeling has been that the Tigers' front office may be exhausted from their efforts last spring.

Alex Bregman talks took a 'nasty' turn last offseason, cooling the Tigers' interest this winter

Along those lines, ESPN's Buster Olney offered some added context to the idea that the Tigers could be a suitor for Bregman this offseason. Olney mentioned during a recent Baseball Tonight podcast that negotiations between Boras and the Tigers took a "nasty turn" last February, and that is why he believes Detroit won't be involved this time around.

Outside of the Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs have been mentioned as a suitor for Bregman this offseason. Like the Tigers, the Cubs were involved with Bregman , but their offer wasn't competitive with what Detroit had on the table or the deal that he eventually signed with the Red Sox. Unlike the Tigers, it does seem like the Cubs have a genuine interest in Bregman once again, as they were among the teams to meet with him ahead of the Winter Meetings.

It's hard to blame the Tigers for not wanting to engage Boras and Bregman once again. The offer the Tigers had last offseason — six years for $171.5 million — feels like it will be better than any offer he gets this winter. And being a year older, there's no scenario where Scott Harris and Co. should still have it on the table.

To Harris' credit, he wasn't wrong when he said last spring training that Detroit was capable of winning without Bregman on their roster. The Tigers spent most of the season as the best team in baseball and were a game away from reaching the ALCS. If anything, that's the only confirmation they need that Bregman's circus isn't for them this winter.