Red Sox Make Aggressive Offer to Keep Alex Bregman

As the 2026 MLB calendar flips to a new year, one of baseball’s most intriguing free-agent stories is still up in the air. Alex Bregman, long seen as one of the game’s most reliable third basemen and a proven postseason threat, remains unsigned.

Multiple teams are circling, and league insiders have strong opinions. Will the Boston Red Sox bring him back, or is another contender ready to offer the long-term deal he wants?

Where Things Stand in Alex Bregman’s Free Agency

Seeing Bregman’s name on the free-agent board in January is a bit surprising, but not totally shocking. He’s negotiating carefully—this is the most important contract window of his career.

The Red Sox, who signed him last winter, are still firmly in the mix.

Boston’s Aggressive Push

ESPN insider Buster Olney says most people around the league expect Bregman to re-sign with Boston. The organization valued him highly during the 2025 season and reportedly made a strong offer as soon as free agency started.

Bregman’s fit in Boston went beyond stats. Manager Alex Cora and several teammates praised his leadership, preparation, and his willingness to embrace the city.

He played dependable defense at third base while stepping in for Rafael Devers, and his clubhouse presence got plenty of positive attention.

Competition Is Heating Up Around the League

Boston sounds confident, but they’re not alone. Other front offices have noticed the production and upside Bregman still brings at this point in his career.

The Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, and Others

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive outside suitors. Both teams want playoff-ready bats and veteran leadership, so Bregman is an obvious fit.

The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers have also shown interest. Detroit even chased Bregman hard last offseason.

That broad market is a big reason Bregman feels comfortable waiting things out.

The Contract Numbers Driving the Decision

Bregman entered free agency looking for a six-year deal. His current market actually looks stronger than it did a year ago.

Last winter, he turned down longer offers to keep his options open.

From Short-Term Bet to Long-Term Payday

In 2025, Bregman played on a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston. The deal included opt-outs after the first and second seasons, giving him flexibility.

That contract was supposed to reset his value, and by most measures, it did.

Industry projections now put his value at:

Bregman turns 32 in March, so this could be his last shot at a true long-term mega-deal.

A Look at Bregman’s 2025 Performance

On the field, Bregman put up solid numbers, even though he battled injuries and late-season fatigue.

Production, Injuries, and Context

During the 2025 season, Bregman made his third All-Star team and hit .273 with an .821 OPS. In 114 games, he notched 18 home runs and 62 RBIs, while playing steady defense at third.

A quad injury cost him some time, and his numbers dipped at the end of the year. Over his last 27 regular-season games, he hit just .187 with two homers and a .581 OPS.

Still, teams seem willing to bet on his overall body of work rather than a short slump.

Why Boston Still Feels Like the Favorite

When you look at performance, personality, and money, the Red Sox just make sense as Bregman’s next stop. He’s already put down roots in Boston.

The clubhouse trusts him. He’s shown he can handle the expectations that come with this uniform.

Whether he comes back or not, one thing’s obvious: Alex Bregman’s free agency is shaping up to be one of the defining stories of the 2026 offseason. The ripple effects are bound to hit more than just one contender.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Report: MLB insider says Red Sox have made an ‘aggressive offer’ to keep Alex Bregman