By helping the Astros unload the contract, the Tigers might have hurt their own chances to sign third baseman Alex Bregman, the top free-agent hitter still on the market. The Pressly trade has only fueled speculation that the Astros are positioning their payroll for a last-ditch effort to retain their fan-favorite star.

The trade of Ryan Pressly and Jose Altuve’s willingness to move from second base to left field has renewed hope that the Houston Astros may be able to re-sign Alex Bregman. That’s a huge change from just five weeks ago when general manager Dana Brown termed the negotiations with the free agent third baseman as “stalled” and appeared to close the door on a possible reunion.

The Houston Astros recently made a blockbuster trade to ship Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs, which could be the key to an Alex Bregman reunion.

Alex Bregman is one of the greatest players on the field and in the clubhouse of the Houston Astros’ golden era, but he is also expensive.

The Red Sox continue to be engaged with free-agent infielder Alex Bregman, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. There is a caveat to Boston's interest, however, as the Red Sox would prefer any agreement to be of the short-term variety -- meaning,

The Houston Astros reached a tentative agreement to trade Ryan Pressly to the Chicago Cubs, clearing the way for Alex Bregman to return to the Astros.

“The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade to acquire closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, pending medical review, sources tell ESPN,” Passan reported. “Pressly will waive his no-trade clause to Chicago to facilitate the move, and Houston will send money to help cover his $14 million salary.”

If free agent third baseman Alex Bregman wants a lengthy contract this offseason, it doesn't sound like he'll get it from the Boston Red Sox.

Ryan Pressly, an All-Star reliever with impressive postseason credentials, has not yet approved or rejected a potential trade from the Houston Astros to the Chicago Cubs, a league source told The ...

Pressly is slated to make $14 million in the last year of his contract, and Houston could use the money it saved in the trade to upgrade its outfield.

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.