Red Sox to Battle Desperate NL Club for Alex Bregman

The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are heating up, and the Boston Red Sox have landed right in the thick of a messy free-agent drama. After missing out on big bats like Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso, Boston’s front office is scrambling to keep its All-Star third baseman—but the market’s shrinking, rivals are circling, and Bregman’s contract history makes this one of the offseason’s most tangled storylines.

Red Sox Pivot to Bregman After Missing Out on Schwarber and Alonso

The Red Sox went into the winter laser-focused on adding some power. Their chases of Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso fizzled, leaving a huge hole in the lineup.

Now, Alex Bregman isn’t just a target—he’s almost a must-have if the team wants to stay relevant in the near future. But he’s no ordinary free agent; he already gambled on himself once and wants to cash in for real this time.

opt-out/”>Bregman’s Risky Opt-Out: Leaving $80 Million Behind

Bregman shocked a lot of folks around the league when he bailed on a three-year, $120 million deal after just one season, walking away from a guaranteed $80 million. That move screamed confidence—he clearly believes in his own game and thinks the market will still pay up for a third baseman with his mix of power and pedigree.

Now he’s back on the open market, chasing a long-term deal that finally matches his value as a run producer and a championship-tested vet.

A Shrinking Market Complicates Bregman’s Free Agency

The trouble for Bregman? His résumé is strong, but the market for power bats isn’t as open as it used to be. Several teams already grabbed corner infielders or filled their big bat needs, and plenty of others just won’t spend top dollar on players past 30.

So you’ve got teams interested, but not everyone’s ready or able to pay what he wants.

Red Sox, Tigers, and Others: Who’s Really in on Bregman?

The Boston Red Sox are still the team everyone’s watching. They need Bregman, and they know him well. MLB insiders keep pegging Boston as the most likely landing spot, though any new deal will be a lot less than the $40 million per year he once turned down.

The Detroit Tigers are lurking, too. They want to speed up their rebuild with a real middle-of-the-order bat. For their young roster, Bregman’s playoff experience and professionalism would be a huge boost.

Mets Desperate After Losing Alonso, Nimmo, and Díaz

The real wild card? The New York Mets. They’re reeling after losing Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, and Edwin Díaz. That’s gutted their offense and left a leadership void, and ownership’s under pressure to fix things fast.

For the Mets, Bregman isn’t just about stats. He’s a two-time World Series champ who can handle big markets and big moments. If any team’s going to push the market and maybe overpay, it’s probably the Mets.

Seattle Lurking, Cubs Standing Pat

There’s some buzz about Bregman and Seattle. The Mariners always seem to need offense, and he’d fit their run-prevention style while still giving the lineup a boost. But honestly, that feels more like rumor than reality right now.

The Chicago Cubs look like they’re out. They’re rolling with rookie Matt Shaw at third base, betting on their own pipeline and not interested in splurging for Bregman.

Bregman’s 2025 Resurgence Strengthens His Case

On the field, Bregman did exactly what he needed to before hitting free agency: he delivered. In 2025, he grabbed his third All-Star selection and put up his best offensive numbers since 2019.

That bump in production is a big reason he’s still getting multi-year offers at a high annual value, even in this weird market.

The All-Star Numbers Behind His Asking Price

Bregman’s 2025 stats tell the story:

Those are the numbers of a real middle-of-the-order threat, not a guy fading out. Add in his Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and two World Series rings from Houston—he brings a rare mix of performance and pedigree.

What Kind of Contract Will Alex Bregman Get?

Even with that strong year, nobody around the league thinks Bregman’s going to get the $40 million per season he once passed up. Teams are more careful now, and his past opt-out probably cooled some of the demand.

But he’s not about to settle for a bargain-basement deal, either.

Projected Deal: Length and Dollars

Most insiders figure Bregman’s next contract lands somewhere around:

That’d put him in the upper tier for position players, but it won’t reset the market. For Boston, it’s a big commitment, but a lot easier to swallow than what he turned down before. For Bregman, it’s a shot at long-term security and still getting paid like a star.

Will Bregman Ultimately Return to Boston?

The Red Sox have missed out on several targets. They really need a stabilizing star at third base.

The third-base market looks thin this offseason. Bregman already has history with Boston, which adds another layer to the story.

The Mets and Tigers are real threats here. The Mariners could actually jump in, too, if they get serious.

But unless a team throws silly money at him, most folks in the industry think Bregman will stay put. He’d keep anchoring third base and the heart of Boston’s lineup for years to come.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox Predicted To Battle ‘Desperate’ NL Club For Alex Bregman