As Alex Bregman nears his return to action after nearly two months on the injured list, extension and trade rumors have surrounded the star.
Bregman shared that he and his agent, Scott Boras, would be willing to listen to anything the Red Sox have to say about a potential contract extension. After the best start of Bregman's 10-year career and the Rafael Devers trade, Boston should be willing to lock the third baseman up for the foreseeable future.
If a deal doesn't come together before the trade deadline, MLB insider Jim Bowden has heard around the league that Bregman may be traded. He named the Mariners, Tigers and Brewers as potential destinations. The Tigers were one of the final teams in the running for Bregman's services as a free agent over the offseason, and their recent history of interest in the veteran could make a trade to Detroit a possibility.
But it seems so unlikely for the Red Sox to trade Bregman this season. They're not out of the American League playoff race by any stretch of the imagination, despite their fourth-place standings in the AL East. Boston has maintained a .500-ish record without Bregman, and may only get better when he returns.
MLB insider Jim Bowden believes Red Sox could trade Alex Bregman if he isn't extended before the trade deadline
If Alex Bregman is unable to come to terms on an extension with the Red Sox, he could be traded to the Mariners, Tigers or Brewers, @JimBowdenGM writes.
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) July 9, 2025
"The Red Sox would like to extend Bregman before the trade deadline, but it won’t be easy with Scott Boras as his agent. And,… pic.twitter.com/hgd7QRzz4Z
Bregman also still has two years on his deal with the Red Sox after the 2025 season, and his high contract price could make him difficult to trade to a smaller market. Boston is still on the hook to pay him $40 million each for the remaining two seasons on his contract, and that salary isn't likely to be matched by many other teams in the league, certainly not the Tigers or Brewers.
Not only do the Red Sox have no business trading Bregman while they're still within reach of the postseason, but their need for him has dramatically increased since the Devers trade. Devers was Boston's biggest star, best offensive player and one of its few bats with reliable pop. Bregman is one of the Sox's best options to replace Devers' production in their lineup, and if he's willing to sign an extension, they should absolutely be on top of it. Bregman's contract demands aren't cheap, but Boston watched the price for elite bats skyrocket after the Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto contracts. Bregman has already made clear his desire to play for the Red Sox long-term, and they should take advantage of it and sign him before they're forced to turn to a more expensive option on the free agent market.
The Red Sox trading Bregman seems unlikely, but Bowden attests that discussions about a move are ongoing throughout the league. Boston should keep Bregman around as long as they're in the playoff race, and long after with a contract extension. The team does not have the good graces with the fanbase to let another star leave.