There has been plenty of mixed messaging around the league about the Boston Red Sox's pursuit of free agent Alex Bregman.
It was even reported that the front office couldn't come to a consensus on the veteran. During Winter Meetings, rumors surfaced that there was tension between Red Sox manager Alex Cora, president and CEO Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow about whether or not Bregman is a fit for Boston — Cora and Kennedy think he is, but Breslow is less certain.
Despite this, ESPN's David Schoenfield predicted the Red Sox will land Bregman (subscription required). The Yankees, Astros, Phillies, Tigers, Mets and Nationals are also in on the third baseman, but Bregman's link to Cora could give Boston an edge over the competition.
Bregman also has stellar numbers at Fenway Park over the course of his nine-year big-league career. He's slashing .375/.490/.750 with a shocking 1.240 OPS and seven homers over 21 appearances in Boston. He batted .260/.315/.453 with 26 home runs in 2024, and he could be the ideal righty power bat for Fenway.
ESPN predicts Red Sox will land Alex Bregman, who has a history of success at Fenway Park
Bregman has spent most of his career playing the hot corner, and the Red Sox's interest in the veteran has raised questions about Rafael Devers and Triston Casas' futures in Boston. Breslow has attested repeatedly that Devers is the Red Sox's third baseman, but even so, they could still be in the mix for Bregman. The 30-year-old said he'd be open to switching positions with a new team, and Boston has had a revolving door of second basemen since Dustin Pedroia's retirement — Bregman could be its solution.
The biggest obstacle in the Red Sox's way of signing Bregman is probably his asking price. Reports suggest the longtime Astro seeks a deal in the $200 million range, and the Red Sox have been reluctant to give out such expensive contracts in recent years. The team's most recent blockbuster infield signing of Trevor Story hasn't exactly gone well.
If the Sox want Bregman's winning pedigree and leadership in their clubhouse, they'll need to act fast. He could be a great answer to Boston's excessive left-handedness, but his market is expensive and competitive — two things the Red Sox have not been in years.