Alex Bregman has officially opted out of the final two seasons of his three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, but that doesn't mean his relationship with the club is over.
Many reporters and insiders believe the most likely outcome of Bregman's impending free agency is a return to the Red Sox on a long-term deal. Boston had better hope they're right — after trading Rafael Devers in June, it doesn't have another MLB-ready third baseman in the organization. Bregman also brought (mostly) consistent offense, rock-solid defense, playoff experience and leadership to the Sox's clubhouse, and they shouldn't let that go easily.
Luckily, Bregman wasn't shy about how much he enjoyed playing for the Red Sox and in the city of Boston. In a piece published on October 15, Chris Cotillo of MassLive resurfaced some quotes from a previous interview with Bregman that make the Red Sox's chance at a reunion seem quite good.
"Bregman said he was willing to listen to 'anything' the Red Sox had to say about long-term talks, adding that he 'expected to love playing here (in Boston) and 'definitely (have) loved playing here,'" Cotillo wrote.
Old Alex Bregman comments show his willingness to return to the Red Sox for the rest of his career
Bregman also told Cotillo that he seeks a home for the rest of his career, which he said was a "very high priority" for his second foray into free agency. The Red Sox certainly have the financial resources and roster needs to give him that, but his asking price will be the determining factor.
The third baseman's free agent market last season was smaller than he likely expected. After a down offensive season in 2024 (.260/.315/.453), Bregman had trouble getting clubs to offer him the six-year deal he initially hoped for. He rebounded in Boston, though, and given how the Red Sox feel about him, such a deal could be on the table this time (for a lower AAV than the $40 million he made in 2025). Nothing is certain, however, and it's unclear where the rest of the Sox's reinforcements will come from — if they break the bank on a slugger and pitcher, Bregman's long-term deal could be over owner John Henry's yet undisclosed budget.
It also doesn't help that, by trading Devers, the Red Sox gave up much of the leverage they had in contract negotiations. Bregman is getting older and his durability is in question after he missed six weeks of last season with a quad injury, and it took another few weeks or him to return to full health.
Still, Bregman is the clear best fit at third base for the Red Sox, and it seems like the two sides parted on good terms. Boston should prioritize giving Bregman the long-term deal he desires to stabilize their third base situation and make him a Red Sox for life.