Speaking at MLB's general manager meetings in San Antonio, Dana Brown labeled early conversations with Alex Bregman's agent Scott Boras "good" and "productive."

The precedent portends Alex Bregman playing elsewhere next season. Shattering it would be Brown’s biggest victory in two and a half seasons as Houston’s general manager, pleasing both Jose Altuve and the plethora of fans who’ve already made peace with Bregman’s departure.

The Houston Astros have announced they've extended a qualifying offer to free agent third-baseman Alex Bregman, according to a release following an announcement by Astros General Manager Dana Brown.

The Astros making Alex Bregman a qualifying offer is nothing more than a formality as the teams will be able to continue to negotiate.

In the clubhouse, Bregman is considered to be one of the Astros’ vocal leaders, and a baseball genius. Many pitchers credit Bregman with helping them make tweaks due to the extra research he does, while Bregman’s obsession with hitting mechanics have helped his teammates work on their own swings.

Winning is Bregman's top priority when choosing where to sign this offseason. To retain him, the Astros must sell him on that possibility.

Alex Bregman has been an Astros mainstay at the hot corner for nine seasons. The club expects that to continue, even as the star third baseman hits free agency for the first time in his career. Conven

Astros GM Dana Brown spoke with the media at the GM Meetings in San Antonio and addressed a number of topics, including where the team is with negotiations with free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.