WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 09: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch during the third inning of a spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals at FITTEAM Ball Park of the Palm Beaches on March 9, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) The Astros held a press conference this afternoon officially announcing Alex Bregman’s extension. There are rumors that Justin Verlander may be next. As Spring Training is wrapping up, player extensions seem to be ramping up. Bregman‘s 5-year $100 million dollar extension was made official today and Ryan Pressly‘s contract was extended another two years. Now, according to Ken Rosenthal of MLB on Fox, the Houston Astros are in talks with Verlander to sew up yet another extension. Astros’ owner Jim Crane has corroborated the rumor and verified that both sides have recently been in contract discussions, but he also hinted it needs to take place soon. “I don’t think anything is final, but if it’s going to get done, it’s going to get done before we get out of here,” Crane said. “He doesn’t really like to do it during the season, but that could change, too. There’s interest on both sides, so we’ll see what happens.” Rosenthal also said that sources indicated there could possibly be a two-year deal in the works in the $66 million range. With Verlander a month past turning 36 years old, a two-year extension may be the best deal for both parties. Verlander has stated that he would like to pitch until he’s 45 years old and he may very well. But let’s go for two years, see how he is toward the end of that contract and go from there. If Verlander’s 2018 performance is any indication, he’s certainly still going strong. He started a league-leading 34 games and eclipsed 200 innings pitched while going 16-9 in the process. He also led the league with 209 strikeouts earning him the best SO/BB ratio of 7.84 in all the majors. He has made it apparent that he is very happy here in Houston and has a lot of respect for the front office and his fellow teammates. Hopefully, that could go a long way in his decision making. “The city, the fans, my teammates, the organization from top to bottom — from Mr. Crane all the way down to the locker room — stuff has made my transition easy and joyful,” Verlander said. “I felt accepted right away, and I really enjoyed my time here. That’s a testament to all those people.” As a side note, there were also rumblings about the front office and Gerrit Cole discussing an extension. But Cole put that to bed right away, saying “I told them they’re free to call Scott (Boras) whenever they want. That was the extent of the conversation & since then Scott has not been contacted by anyone from the club. This seems more like a phone call negotiation involving the media than anything” Extending Verlander, as well as Bregman and Pressly, would be a huge coup for the Astros in their quest to hold on to their dominance over the division, if not the league. If Verlander wants to stay, and the Astros want him to stay, let’s make it happen.<doc-sep>The Houston Astros have reached an agreement with All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman for a six-year, $100 million contract, per the team. The deal covers this season and the three years he would be eligible for arbitration, plus Bregman's two free-agent years. Here's what general manager Jeff Luhnow said, as chronicled in a team-issued release: "Despite only being an Astro for a few years, Alex Bregman has created many special memories for our fans and our franchise both on and off the field," said Luhnow. "We are thrilled to keep him here for at least the next six years and are eagerly anticipating many great moments in the future for him, for our team and for our city." Bregman, 25 at the end of the month, slashed .286/.394/.532 with 31 home runs, a major-league high 51 doubles, four triples and 10 steals last season. He finished fifth in the American League MVP voting. Bregman's contract with the Astros is the second highest contract in club history, trailing only the five-year, $151 million contract extension given to second baseman Jose Altuve last year.<doc-sep>Alex Bregman is about to get paid. According to a Houston Chronicle report, the Astros' starting third baseman and former LSU standout has agreed to sign a new five-year, $100 million contract. Bregman's previous deal paid him less than $600,000 last season, according to MLB.com. His new deal is reportedly the second-largest in Houston franchise history. Second baseman Jose Altuve signed a five-year, $151 million extension signed last year. LSU sports news in your inbox If you're a Tiger fan you won't want to miss this newsletter. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The 24-year-old Bregman made his first All-Star team last season and was selected MVP of the game after hitting a home run to help the American League win. He set career highs with a .286 batting average, 31 homers, 103 RBIs and a major league-leading 51 doubles, finishing fifth in AL MVP balloting. The second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft out of LSU, Bregman has hit .282 with 58 homers and 208 RBIs in 2½ seasons with the Astros, helping them win consecutive AL West titles and the 2017 World Series. Bregman was limited early this spring after having arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in January. The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>
David J. Phillip/Associated Press The Houston Astros will reportedly keep third baseman Alex Bregman for the foreseeable future. On Tuesday, Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston reported the American League West team signed him to a six-year deal worth $100 million. The contract covers the 2019 campaign, his three arbitration-eligible years and the first two years he would have become a free agent. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Astros were in talks with the 2018 All-Star before Berman reported on the signing and added additional details along with Brian McTaggart of MLB.com: It is no surprise Houston is keeping Bregman long-term at just 24 years old. He is part of the team's young core alongside Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and George Springer that helped bring the Astros a World Series title in 2017 and American League Championship Series appearance last year. Bregman drilled four home runs in the 2017 playoff run, two of which came in the World Series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In large part because of that core, the Astros won more than 100 games in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history. Bregman turned the corner as a power threat in 2018 and slashed .286/.394/.532 with 31 home runs and 103 RBI. He also mixed in some speed with 10 stolen bases and defensive versatility with innings at third base, shortstop, second base and left field. Video Play Button Videos you might like The Astros want to ensure he will continue doing that in Houston for years to come.