The Boston Red Sox finally made their long-awaited, big move of the offseason the day pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. They signed Alex Bregman, the last major free agent on the market, to a three-year, $120 million deal, beating out the Tigers and Cubs, and more distantly the Astros and Blue Jays (who weren't in the final three but had been connected to Bregman throughout the offseason).
MLB insider Jeff Passan clarified Bregman's new role in Boston quickly; he'll play second base, which will allow the Red Sox to scrap the late-season carousel they were employing last year, made up of Vaughn Grissom, David Hamilton, Enmanuel Valdez, and Ceddanne Rafaela, for the most part.
But there are a couple of wrinkles here. Bregman's deal includes two opt-outs, though it's unclear if they're player or team (they're probably player). Second base also seems like the inevitable landing spot for baseball's No. 7 overall prospect Kristian Campbell, who was promoted to Triple-A last season and should be in the majors in no time.
So while signing Bregman was the huge win the Red Sox have been looking for, why does Bregman's presence still feel like it's going to be pretty short-term?
The expectation is Alex Bregman will play second base for Boston, sources tell ESPN. Even though the Red Sox have top prospect Kristian Campbell coming, they saw Bregman having enough of an impact that they offered $40 million a year — with deferrals — to make the deal happen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2025
Alex Bregman's opt-outs, Kristian Campbell incoming could make Bregman's time with Red Sox shorter than fans think
If the opt-outs do belong to Bregman, then he'll stay as long as he pleases, as long as both he and the team are performing well enough (or if he's bad), and it's not really his job to worry about how the Red Sox get their prospects into the majors.
There could be a way forward for Campbell if, heaven forbid, Trevor Story ends up on the injured list for most of the season (again). Campbell could come up to get some reps at shortstop, as Rafaela will be getting most of his playing time in center field in 2025.
The Red Sox could maybe hold Campbell off throughout 2025, with a peek into the majors in the event of injury for any of the big league guys, but they won't be able to delay him forever. If Bregman disappoints in 2025, it'd be unlikely he'd opt-out, and it'd be hard for the Red Sox to trade him, so if they want to accommodate Campbell easily, they sort of have to hope Bregman does leave after 2025 or 2026 or for Rafael Devers to become their designated hitter if they don't want to lose Campbell.