The Detroit Tigers appear unlikely to pursue the superstar third baseman as a free agent.

The Detroit Tigers are entering a crucial offseason after their 2024 playoff run was one of the most incredible in the history of the sport.

Detroit, which sold out on deadline and seemed to be looking ahead to 2025, suddenly became the hottest team in baseball over the past month and a half, making the playoffs and beating the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round before than the race finally ended. in the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians. Now that the existing team has proven what it can do, Tigers management should be willing to do whatever it takes to improve the roster and add the final pieces to make the team a real contender.

While all indications are that Detroit will be willing to spend some money, those hoping to see a reunion between Tigers manager AJ Hinch and upcoming free agent Astros third baseman Alex Bregman to solve Detroit’s woes ” at this position, you may just have to keep hoping. Just Baseball’s Clay Snowden has considered this possibility, but thinks it’s ultimately unlikely.

“Alex Bregman is a big name and his connection to Hinch makes sense,” Snowden wrote. “He had a slow start to the season but he bounced back and was one of the most consistent strikers at third for a while. I’d like to see the Tigers pursue him, but I wonder how many years and what would it cost?” The Tigers are ready to move on, I’m leaning toward Bregman being unlikely.”

In 2024, the Tigers drafted Gio Urshela, whom the team cut to make room for September prospects, as well as various relievers and No. 5 prospect Jace Young. Of course, the hope is that Jung can take a step forward and eventually become that guy who becomes a franchise cornerstone at that position, but Scott Harris will have to weigh how likely he thinks that could happen sooner rather than later, after how Jung definitely didn’t lose. no one on the road during the 34 games he played in 2024.

An argument can be made that if Bregman is willing to take a shorter-term deal, he might be worth the risk, but given the numbers that have started to decline steadily over the past few years and the fact that he won’t go cheap on Jung. pairing with a cheaper veteran would likely be a smarter move for Detroit.