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.

The Astros don't want to invoke a high luxury tax bill, while their franchise icon is begging them to re-sign a star free agent — how can all parties get what they want?