The Boston Red Sox have some of the brightest young players in Major League Baseball, and for much of the campaign, that’s been on full display. Unfortunately, the Red Sox have also dealt with multiple injuries to the youngsters, including Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer. While that’s a tough break for the Red Sox, they’re expected to have both of those players for a very long time, with Anthony already signing a massive pre-arb deal.
However, the question still remains about what the Red Sox want to do with some of their veteran talent, including Alex Bregman, who has the opportunity to opt out of the remaining two years and $80 million of his contract. Some believe that Bregman is in an excellent position to receive a substantial long-term pay raise this winter, and opting out seems like a foregone conclusion. Yahoo Sports believes that’s the case, noting that he’ll retest the market.
“Besides a two-month stint on the injured list due to a quad problem, Bregman’s first year in Boston has gone wonderfully, as he has delivered his most productive offensive season in three years while playing stellar defense at the hot corner. The veteran third baseman has also been indispensable in the clubhouse, helping to shepherd a young Red Sox team through a topsy-turvy season.
“Bregman has two more years on his deal at $40 million a piece, but he’ll likely opt out and retest the market. A bevy of lower-body issues have stunted his speed and overall athleticism, but there’s conviction around the game that Bregman will always make the most of his abilities. He’d make any team better,” Jake Mintz wrote.
Alex Bregman Will Have Many Suitors
There will be multiple suitors for the Boston Red Sox to worry about, including the New York Yankees. However, if the Red Sox want to keep him around, there’s reason to believe that Bregman would be open to it.
When examining other potential landing spots, Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnell noted that the Detroit Tigers could be one, but the Red Sox are the clear fit. He noted that given the love that the organization’s fan base has for Bregman, it should be something he’s interested in long-term.
Is Staying With the Red Sox Ideal for Alex Bregman?
However, it’s fair to mention that he was loved by the Houston Astros organization and its fan base but decided to go his separate way last winter.
“The fit for the Red Sox is obvious. Bregman seems to love Boston, and the fans definitely seem to love him. The match has been perfect, and the two parties could top it off with a World Series title this October. Boston has shown a willingness to spend the money for stars. Considering how well Bregman has played with the Red Sox, the front office might feel a bit more inclined to give him the money, contract length, and incentives that he wants in order to keep him on the roster for the next few years,” he wrote.
Nonetheless, Bregman should be in for a fun free agency, especially after last winter when it didn’t seem like many teams wanted him for whatever reason.