Tigers aren't getting Alex Bregman if they think they can draw a line in the sand

The Detroit Tigers are interested in signing free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, and the interest is reportedly mutual. But Tigers fans shouldn't be getting their hopes up just yet.

According to a report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers have been engaged in conversations about Bregman, and those discussions remain ongoing.

The Tigers are a young team that could use some veteran leadership and influence. They also need a powerful, right-handed bat and help at third base. Bregman provides all of that, not to mention that he has some existing personal ties to the organization. In addition to current Tigers manager and former Astros manager AJ Hinch, Bregman also has a connection to Tigers bullpen catcher Chris Chinea, who was his former teammate and roommate for two seasons at LSU.

Indeed, Bregman signing in Detroit makes almost too much sense – that is, if the Tigers can stay out of their own way and make it happen.

Tigers aren't getting Alex Bregman if they think they can draw a line in the sand

Petzold's report included another critical detail, namely that the Tigers don't want to spend $200 million for Bregman. If Detroit isn't willing to bend on that, then whatever discussions have been happening between the two parties are essentially pointless.

Bregman is universally regarded as one of the top free agent bats on the market this year, and as such, he has no shortage of suitors. He already has an offer on the table from the Houston Astros, where he has spent the entirety of his nine-year Major League career, for six years at $156 million. But he's betting on himself, and he's aiming higher.

The Tigers are likely to balk at the prospect of offering a free agent a contract of that size – and rightfully so, given that Javier Báez's six-year, $140 million contract has aged like milk. But Bregman is a veteran leader, an elite power hitter, a Gold Glove third baseman, a perennial All-Star, and a serial winner. If the Tigers are serious about wanting to acquire him, they need to be willing to pay top dollar.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals