James Atama
Two-time All-Star Alex Bregman remains a free agent as spring training approaches, and the Boston Red Sox may have an understanding of what it would take to secure his services this offseason.
After concluding a nine-year tenure with the Houston Astros, Bregman is among the top infielders available on the market. His strong defensive skills at third base, along with the ability to switch to second base, make him a valuable asset, particularly for the Red Sox, who need a right-handed bat to fill a significant roster gap.
Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, indicated that any team interested in signing the two-time World Series champion needs to be prepared for the financial requirements. “Bregman’s a championship player, teams know it,” Boras said to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. “It’s really a matter of his decision-making and theirs, about how you can close up that gap. There’s substantial interest (in long-term) deals.”
While Bregman didn’t have an All-Star-caliber season in 2024, hitting .260 with 26 home runs, 30 doubles, and 75 RBIs over 145 games, his performance remains strong and appealing for any team, especially the Red Sox, who recently lost their leading home run hitter from 2024, Tyler O’Neill.
Bregman’s previous five-year, $100 million contract, signed in 2019, has expired, but Boras has not slowed down in his pursuit of a new deal, even while managing other high-profile clients like Juan Soto, Blake Snell, and Corbin Burnes.
The Red Sox have a significant connection to Bregman through manager Alex Cora, who was part of the Astros’ 2017 World Series-winning team alongside Bregman before taking on the managerial position in Boston. Currently, the Red Sox’s infield is set except for second base, where a competition may ensue between prospect Kristian Campbell and veteran Vaughn Grissom. If Bregman were to rejoin Cora, questions would arise regarding how Boston might utilize him.
For now, it looks like Bregman and Boras are opting for a patient approach in their negotiations.
