Impending star free agent linked to Red Sox would require significant roster shuffle

With the late summer and end-of-year slump that the Boston Red Sox have fallen into, recent news and offseason rumors speculate that the team will look very different next year.

Starting pitcher James Paxton announced his retirement on Sep. 12 and Bleacher Report rumored that the Sox may part ways with outfielder Tyler O’Neill. And on Sept. 13, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal speculated that Astros infielder Alex Bregman would join the Red Sox next year. The veteran is an impending free agent, and he may play his final regular season game as an Astro at Minute Maid Park on Sept. 25.

Rosenthal has a clear vision for Bregman fitting into Boston's lineup: sign Bregman as the starting third baseman, move current third baseman Rafael Devers to first base, and trade young first baseman, Triston Casas. 

On paper, this seems like a great idea. At age 31, Bregman would bring his experience as a two-time All-Star, World Series champion, and Silver Slugger winner to a young roster, immediately serving as a clubhouse leader. His righty bat adds power to the middle of the lineup and would be lucrative at Fenway Park with the Green Monster in left field.

On top of his pull swing, Bregman’s defense is top-notch. Manager Alex Cora and Bregman go back to Cora’s time as a bench coach in Houston in 2017, so this connection might be strong enough to convince Bregman to come to Boston.

Ken Rosenthal proposes the Red Sox should sign Alex Bregman

But nothing is ever this simple.

Bregman will likely demand an expensive contract in his free agency this winter, and the Sox would have to be willing to pay up. He’s currently batting .256/.313/.443 with a 3.8 WAR. Despite his slow start this season, Bregman has a proven track record and his slight decline in productivity should be viewed as a short deviation from his standard, not the beginning of the end. He will be worth upwards of $200 million per year, according to Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report. 

Boston will have to make at least one big move in the offseason to fix its issues, but signing Bregman may not be the right one. The team has a host of bullpen issues that should be sorted out first, which possibly includes replacing Kenley Jansen. After patching up its relief pitchers, the Sox still need to decide where Nick Sogard and prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell may play. These issues take priority over adding Bregman.

There’s no doubt that Bregman would offer talent and depth to a team that’s struggling to cement its identity. He might even be willing to switch to first base due to his recent right elbow inflammation, which could avoid shaking up the infield too much. The real question is whether Boston is willing to make a big splash to stay competitive, and it’s more likely than not that a major move would be for a pitcher, not an infielder.

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