Houston general manager Dana Brown says the door for re-signing free agent Alex Bregman is “cracked” open, but he acknowledges keeping the third baseman with the Astros would be a long shot.

HOUSTON — Though the Houston Astros have re-engaged in talks with free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, general manager Dana Brown on Saturday characterized any potential reunion as a “long shot.”

Houston Astros career second baseman Jose Altuve is so eager for former teammate Alex Bregman to potentially return to the squad, the nine-time All-Star is willing to move to left field.

Drafted second overall by the Astros in 2015, Alex Bregman helped the team win World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.

If Bregman is back in Houston, team sources indicated he would play third base in place of Isaac Paredes, whom the Astros acquired as part of the three-player package for Tucker. In that scenario, both Paredes and Altuve could face a position change.

Jose Altuve has started 1,749 career games for the Houston Astros and every single one of them saw him take the field at second base. He's willing to break that run if it means holding on to a longtime teammate.

The Chicago Cubs could swoop into the $200 million Alex Bregman sweepstakes and steal the star infielder from the Houston Astros.

There are still plenty of free agents waiting to sign and trade candidates waiting to move, and as such there will be no shortage of activity between now and the start of camp. Speaking of all that, here now are Friday's hot stove rumors.

With rumors swirling about Alex Bregman possibly returning to the Astros, general manager discussed those talks at FanFest on Saturday.

The Detroit Tigers have spent the offseason pursuing third baseman Alex Bregman. Will they sign him? One expert predicts yes.

The Astros don't want to invoke a high luxury tax bill, while their franchise icon is begging them to re-sign a star free agent — how can all parties get what they want?