Former Tigers fan favorite delivers harsh truth about pursuit of Alex Bregman

The Detroit Tigers gained a new competitor in the Alex Bregman sweepstakes this week, as the Chicago Cubs have thrown their hat into the ring as a potential suitor for the free agent third baseman.

Bregman initially turned down a six-year, $156 million contract offer from his former team, the Houston Astros, believing that he could get upwards of $200 million with similar term elsewhere. The Tigers remain interested in Bregman, but not at that price point, as they don't want to clog their payroll or block any of their rising young stars from opportunities to play prominent roles with the Major League club.

The Boston Red Sox had previously been viewed as the Tigers' biggest competition to land Bregman by meeting his demands in term and value, but recent reports that the Cubs had engaged in talks with the two-time World Series champion about a shorter term deal suggested that he might be open to changing his approach this offseason.

The Cubs used a similar tactic to entice free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger last offseason, landing him on a three-year deal with opt-outs after the first two seasons. If Bregman is willing to listen to offers like this one, the Tigers should be firmly back in play, as such a structure would address their current roster needs while also supporting their long term goals as a club.

However, this begs an interesting question: if the Cubs and the Tigers were to offer Bregman identical, short term deals, which one would he take?

Former Tigers fan favorite believes Alex Bregman will spurn Detroit for similar offer elsewhere

The same question was posed on a recent episode of the "Foul Territory" podcast, but Detroit fans may not like former Tiger Cameron Maybin's answer.

"I think the NL Central is more conducive to [Bregman's] game," Maybin said. "I really do. I think that matters. If you're going to go on a shorter term deal, I would much rather play in the NL Central than the AL Central."

It was also noted that Bregman might be inclined to go elsewhere because he's already been involved in lengthy talks with the Tigers, who have refused to bend to his demands.

Maybin, a first-round pick by the Tigers in 2005 (No. 10 overall), does have a point; the NL Central is arguably wide open, and a player of Bregman's caliber could be all the Cubs need to put them over the edge and create a clear path to the postseason. The competition in the AL Central is steeper, as the Tigers have the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals to contend with atop the division.

Former MLB catcher A.J. Pierzynski gave Tigers fans some hope, however, with his counterpoint that – all else being equal – Bregman could make the choice based on where he would be most comfortable. This presumably gives an edge to Detroit, where he could reunite with former Astros manager AJ Hinch, so there's still hope for the Tigers.

Regardless, if Bregman is indeed open to a shorter term deal with a higher annual value, the Tigers have no excuse not to be first in line to sign him.

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