Jeff Passan of ESPN said on Wednesday that he cannot believe the New York Yankees are not pursuing free agent Alex Bregman, given the team's infield needs.

The Houston Astros are reportedly eyeing Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco as a potential Alex Bregman replacement.

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

Alex Bregman remains a free agent, with the Astros and Cubs among potential remaining suitors for the third baseman. Chicago already has acquired two players from Houston's championship era in Ryan Pressly and Kyle Tucker via separate trades.

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,

As the Houston Astros work to re-sign Alex Bregman, they are also showing "strong interest" in other options, including veteran infielder Jorge

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 Detroit Tigers reportedly have competition from the Houston Astros, Alex Bregman's former team, in the pursuit for the free agent third baseman.

The Detroit Tigers are still seen as a likely landing spot for the top remaining starting pitcher left in free agency.

So far this winter, the Cubs have added two key members of the Astros, Kyle Tucker and Ryan Pressly, both via trade with Houston.

Alex Bregman is waiting for the right offer from a team. An MLB insider believes the Yankees must seize this opportunity.