Given the latest reporting on the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, Boston Red Sox broadcaster Lou Merloni is ready to move on.

The Houston Astros are now considered the favorites to win the Alex Bregman sweepstakes in free agency this winter.

While the Houston Astros still have interest in Alex Bregman, their discussions about a potential reunion with the free-agent third baseman have been mostly “internal,” general manager Dana Brown said Tuesday.

Months later, Bregman remains unsigned, and a resolution with his free agency does not appear any closer. Among the teams that have been linked to Bregman in reports include the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. But the reality is that none of the teams listed are close to signing the All-Star infielder.

The Houston Astros are back in the running for Alex Bregman, but they will have to contend with a couple other teams in need of help at third base.

Increasingly, signs point to the possibility of the Houston Astros bringing back free-agent infielder (and Astros lifer) Alex Bregman. The club cleared some payroll space by reportedly agreeing to trade reliever Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs,

Is a veteran reliever the key to the still gummed-up market for free-agent infielders? That may be the case, peculiar as it sounds. Let us explain. The Chicago Cubs have reportedly agreed to acquire high-leverage bullpenner Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros in exchange for right-hander Juan Bello.

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.”

With Bregman weighing his options, the Astros could look to target a less expensive player in Polanco who is coming off knee surgery.

Alex Bregman has tested the market for months, but the Astros still have as good of a chance as anybody in the sweepstakes.

The Houston Astros are back in the picture for third baseman Alex Bregman. They were long thought to be out of the mix, but after freeing up some money by trading Ryan Pressly, there is now a chance for Houston to do something.