Houston Astros' Yuli Gomes makes his debut after the trade, alongside Bregman who joins the Red Sox for the 1st time, marking their individual appearances in Houston post-trade and Red Sox debut respectively
After a six-year absence, Alex Bregman is back in Houston, ready to make new memories with the Astros. The three-game series between the Astros and the Boston Red Sox, Bregman's new team, is opening on Monday.
Bregman, who was drafted second overall by the Astros in 2015, spent his first nine seasons with the team. During his tenure, he amassed over 1,194 hits, 202 home runs, 698 RBIs, and a career batting average of approximately .273. His OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) consistently remained above .850, and he played 601 games at Houston’s home park, where he notched more than 175 home runs.
In 2019, Bregman came in second in AL MVP voting, and he earned multiple accolades, including All-Star selections, Silver Slugger Awards, and his first AL Gold Glove Award after the 2024 season. He was a pivotal player in the Astros' 2017 and 2022 World Series championships.
Bregman's return to Houston will undoubtedly be emotional. He has expressed that he will miss the resilience of the city and the unity it showed during tough times.
Joining Bregman in the Astros' lineup is Carlos Correa, who was recently traded back to Houston from the Minnesota Twins. Correa, the top pick in the 2012 draft, spent his first eight seasons with the Astros and paired with Bregman for many years. Correa has expressed joy at being back with the Astros, with reuniting with close friend Jose Altuve being the best part for him.
Altuve is excited about Correa's return, expressing his enjoyment of playing with him again. Correa has also expressed his missed camaraderie with Altuve, looking forward to hanging out and talking with him after games.
Houston manager Joe Espada mentioned that the return of Correa and Bregman adds excitement for the Astros' fans. Bregman, confident about his ability to excel at third base, cites his strong arm and previous Platinum Glove award at shortstop.
As the series begins, fans can expect a fierce competition between the two powerhouse teams. The Astros will be eager to see how Bregman and Correa perform in their home stadium, while the Red Sox will be determined to prove their mettle against their former teammate.
[1] Houston Astros win 2017 World Series [2] Houston Astros win 2022 World Series [3] Bregman's career statistics with the Houston Astros
Despite his departure, Bregman's accomplishments with the Houston Astros in MLB remain significant, such as his 1,194 hits, 202 home runs, and 698 RBIs over nine seasons. [3] Moreover, Bregman was instrumental in the Astros' 2017 and 2022 World Series victories, [1] [2] making his return to the city a highly anticipated event in the sport's news circles of Toronto. [4]
