That possibility seemed dead in December, when general manager Dana Brown said talks between both sides had “stalled” and the team pivoted to first baseman Christian Walker. A lack of clarity in Bregman’s market across the past month may have allowed the Astros back into the fray.

The Houston Astros' acquisitions of corner infielders Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes this winter seemed to signal the end of Alex Bregman's time in the Bayou City. A cooled market for the free-agent third baseman could lead to a surprise reunion.