With just over a month of offseason remaining, the Boston Red Sox still have not met all their needs for the 2025 slate.
Most notably, a righty power bat is still missing from Boston's lineup. The Sox have been linked to Alex Bregman or named as the ideal destination for the veteran plenty of times, but recent rumors don't bode well for their chances of signing him.
Still, links and rumors involving the two parties persist. On Dec. 30, Fox Sports' Deesha Thosar named Boston as the best landing spot for Bregman and included a projected contract for the two-time World Series champion.
"I would hesitate to give Bregman more than five years since he's entering his age-31 season, but I think if the Sox are desperate enough, going to six years for around $165 million could make sense for both sides, which would include a reunion with his former Houston manager, Alex Cora," Thosar said.
Fox Sports' Alex Bregman-Red Sox contract prediction disregards key demand
Thosar's proposed contract is strikingly similar to the one Bregman has already declined from the Astros. Houston offered the 30-year-old a six-year deal around $156 million earlier in the offseason, and since he's declined that contract, the Astros have pursued a trade for Nolan Arenado and acquired Christian Walker.
Reports have stated that Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, are in search of a deal in the $200 million range. Not only is Thosar's projected Red Sox contract lower than that, but Boston is unlikely to meet his actual demands. Red Sox principal owner John Henry has said he's reluctant to give out long-term contracts, and giving Bregman six years in his age-31 season is not his M.O.
Bregman would help the Red Sox by adding righty pop and competent infield defense to the lineup, but nothing about their offseason spending habits from recent seasons suggests they'll be willing to meet his demands. Still, Red Sox Nation hopes Thosar's prediction for Bregman's future is correct.