The MLB free agency pool continues to dry up, which means the bigger fish are running out of places to hide. Alex Bregman is still unsigned, to the bafflement of many, and it’s still unclear where the All-Star third baseman and two-time World Series champ might actually end up.

At 30 years old, Bregman is smack in the middle of his prime. He offers an incredibly diverse and balanced skill set, with one of the best plate approaches in baseball and a solid glove at arguably the toughest infield position. After nine very successful (if at times controversial) years with the Houston Astros, one thing appears increasingly clear — he ain’t going back.

Here’s what we do know. Houston has a six-year, $156 million contract on the table and Bregman is not taking the bait. He also has a six-year offer with an opt-out after the first season from a team that “may not be high on his list,” per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Let’s nickname this mystery team, hmmm, “the Toronto Blue Jays” and move on.

Bregman clearly wants a lucrative long-term contract, in keeping with Scott Boras protocol, but if he doesn’t get the number he’s looking for, we can expect the all-too-predictable pivot to a shorter deal with opt-outs and flexibility. If Boras doesn’t get his money, he will damn sure get another bite at the proverbial apple.