MLB insider naming Tigers 'co-favorites' for Alex Bregman still feels like fool's gold

Will the Detroit Tigers sign free agent infielder Alex Bregman this offseason? That seems to be the million dollar question. If Bregman had his way, it'd be more like a $200 million question, but that figure seems highly unlikely to come his direction this winter.

Ever since the Houston Astros (seemingly) passed on reuniting with the two-time All-Star, the Tigers have been in the mix to acquire Bregman's services. Detroit's need for a third baseman, and Bregman's relationship with former Astros manager AJ Hinch, have been cited as two of the biggest reasons a deal makes sense.

After bowing out of contract talks earlier this winter, the Astros have re-engaged in negotiations with Bregman, but there seems to be a gap between the two sides. In fact, USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently revealed that there's been no movement in talks between the Astros and Bregman, but the Tigers and Boston Red Sox are now viewed as co-favorites.

Tigers Rumors: Detroit named 'co-favorites' for Alex Bregman along with Boston Red Sox

Tigers fans have heard this song and dance before, and it's beginning to feel more and more like Detroit is being strung along in order to increase Bregman's price tag for another club. Agents are known to do this, and Scott Boras essentially has his PhD in 'Manipulative Contract Discourse', so you'll forgive Tigers fans if they're a bit apprehensive to believe the latest Bregman scuttlebutt.

At this point, Bregman's free agency has strung out far longer than anyone thought. Bregman, and fellow Boras client Pete Alonso, have become this offseason's version of Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, and Cody Bellinger — an unexpectedly long and drawn-out free agency that will eventually result in a lower-than-expected contract.

Boras routinely attempts to squeeze every last penny out of the pocketbooks of MLB owners, but those folks have become wise to the strategy and are now calling his bluff. Rather than Boras telling teams what his clients are worth, owners are letting the market decide.

So while it may be true that the Tigers are still in the running for Bregman — and may well be one of the teams who've offered the free agent infielder a six-year deal — the Detroit faithful have reach the point in the offseason when they'll have to see it to believe it.

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