Alex Bregman officially said goodbye to Houston Astros fans on Friday, marking the end of his nine-season tenure with the team. On Wednesday, the third baseman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, a deal that includes opt-out options after each of the first two seasons, giving him flexibility to re-enter free agency.
His departure is a difficult one for Astros fans, especially since he declined a six-year, $156 million offer from Houston in pursuit of a more lucrative deal. Despite testing free agency for a long-term contract, he ultimately settled for a three-year agreement with a high annual salary of $40 million and opt-out clauses.
In his farewell message to Houston, Bregman expressed gratitude for the memories and accomplishments he shared with the team and its fans.
“From the moment I put on an Astros uniform, I felt the love, the passion, and the energy of this city,” Bregman wrote. “Together, we became champions — on and off the field. Eight playoff appearances, seven ALCS appearances, four World Series appearances, and two World Series titles. We’ve fought hard each season, lifting each other up in the toughest moments and celebrating our triumphs as one.”
While Bregman’s message was heartfelt, some Astros fans on social media were not receptive to his farewell, still frustrated by his decision to leave.
During free agency, Bregman turned down a six-year, $171.5 million offer from the Detroit Tigers and a four-year, $120 million deal from the Chicago Cubs before ultimately choosing Boston. The Red Sox, aiming to strengthen their lineup, offered him a higher annual salary than what the Tigers, Cubs, and Astros proposed.
Now, Astros fans will have to watch Bregman suit up for a team they’ve faced in several intense postseason battles. His return to Houston on August 11-13 will undoubtedly be a moment to watch, as fans react to seeing one of their former stars in a Red Sox uniform.
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