With Spring Training just around the corner and Alex Bregman still unsigned, speculation is mounting around his next destination.
The clubs most interested in Bregman are the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Red Sox President Sam Kennedy remained tight-lipped but hinted at the significance of Bregman’s free-agent status.
“I’m not allowed to talk about any specific free agent negotiations or anything, but given that he’s unsigned, I think that speaks for itself,” Kennedy said of Bregman.
Rumors suggest Bregman is pursuing a long-term deal, but the Red Sox are reportedly unwilling to commit beyond four years, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Earlier in the offseason, the Houston Astros extended a six-year offer, which Bregman turned down.
Despite Kennedy’s guarded comments, the Red Sox are considered frontrunners for Bregman along with the Tigers.
“The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox loom as co-favorites for 3B Alex Bregman with no movement in Astros talks,” Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported on X.
With the Detroit Tigers aggressively strengthening their roster – most recently signing pitcher Jack Flaherty – competition for Bregman’s services has intensified.
The Tigers, fresh off a surprise playoff run, seem poised to battle the Red Sox for the star infielder.
Meanwhile, Boston missed the playoffs last season, finishing with a disappointing 81-81 record. Frustration – especially with owner John Henry – is quickly reaching a boiling point.
Despite the potential fit issues – Bregman is primarily a third baseman, a position currently held by Boston’s Rafael Devers – Red Sox Manager Alex Cora expressed confidence in finding a spot for Bregman.
“I’ve always envisioned Alex as a Gold Glove second baseman,” Cora recently said during an appearance on MLB Network. “You know, his size, the way he moves, it felt like you will be a second baseman but he has played third base at a high level, so we’ll see where he ends up and where he ends up playing.”
The Red Sox, actively searching for a right-handed bat to strengthen their lineup, may see Bregman as a valuable addition.
Last season, the two-time All-Star hit .260 with 26 home runs and a .768 OPS. While his numbers haven’t matched his standout 2019 season – where he belted 41 home runs and earned 8.9 bWAR – Bregman remains a reliable offensive presence.
On the other hand, ESPN’s Jeff Passan described Boston as a “long-shot” destination for Bregman during the Talkin’ Baseball podcast last week, noting, “I don’t know that he’s gonna end up in Boston at this point.”
Passan suggests that as Spring Training nears, the likelihood of Bregman signing elsewhere increases, especially if the Tigers are willing to meet his long-term demands.
(Or perhaps the Chicago Cubs…)
Detroit’s front office has been busy, signing Flaherty to a two-year deal with a potential $20 million player option and adding reliever Tommy Kahnle to bolster their bullpen.
Despite these moves, President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris emphasized that Detroit’s offseason plans are far from complete.
“We’re going to try to find new ways to make this team better. There are a number of ways we can do it – free agency, trade, waiver claims,” Harris said.
“But we’re going to find ways to get to get better. I think the bullpen and our lineup are two areas that we are going to look to upgrade if we can.”
With Matt Vierling and Jace Jung projected to share third base duties for Detroit, Bregman would represent a significant defensive upgrade and a potent addition to their batting lineup.
Bregman would help form a powerful trio alongside Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene.
With Spring Training right around the corner, we are certainly nearing a decision by Bregman … At the end of the day, where do you think he will end up???
