Boras criticizes Astros as Bregman talks stall: 'Running from leadership'

Agent Scott Boras directed some pointed criticism at the Houston Astros after contract negotiations with his client, Alex Bregman, halted.

"Over time, teams learn if you're running from leadership and talent, you're running from the ultimate goal," Boras told The Athletic's Chandler Rome.

The door to Bregman's return to the Astros appears closed after Houston traded for Isaac Paredes and signed Christian Walker to a three-year, $60-million contract.

"I won’t get into specifics, but I feel like the negotiations stalled," Astros general manager Dana Brown said.

The Astros reportedly offered Bregman a six-year, $156-million contract earlier in the offseason, but the 30-year-old is looking for a deal closer to $200 million.

Bregman spent his first nine seasons with the Astros. The two-time All-Star won a pair of World Series titles and posted a 132 OPS+ across 1,111 games.