The Boston Red Sox's many infield links and connections live on as the offseason rolls into the new year. Many of the league's brightest infield stars on the free agent and trade markets remain available, but not for a lack of interest.
Boston remains locked in on Alex Bregman as its top choice to boost the infield and add a righty bat to the lineup. The third baseman's market features many of the same interested teams as last year, including the Sox, Cubs and a "lukewarm" pursuit by the Tigers, but another team in the mix should have Boston very afraid.
MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided on December 29 categorized the Toronto Blue Jays as a 'dark horse' in Bregman's market. He notes that one of their star infielders, Bo Bichette, is a free agent and a reunion with him should be the Jays' top priority, but Bregman's championship history and top-tier defense — which Bichette lacks — could draw them to him instead.
Toronto has already made a few big swings this offseason, and after its crushing seven-game World Series loss to the Dodgers, it could be willing to make another. The Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease and also checked in on Kyle Tucker, another former Astro, who is projected to be the most expensive free agent of the winter, even after a down season.
FanSided insider Robert Murray labels Red Sox's division rival Blue Jays a 'dark horse' in Alex Bregman's market
The Jays landing either Tucker or Bregman will make the American League East even more dangerous for Boston than before, especially if it loses Bregman. A full season with Roman Anthony in the lineup, along with jolts of power from Wilyer Abreu, Trevor Story and Willson Contreras would help mitigate some of the pain of losing the third baseman, but the team will be offensively similar to the one it fielded last season when it lost in the Wild Card round.
The Red Sox can only do so much, but reuniting with Bregman ensures that a division rival doesn't get stronger in an area of need in their lineup. Bregman's bat still plays well at Fenway Park and he brings the top-tier defense Boston sought for its lineup after the Rafael Devers trade.
Toronto is one of the richest teams in MLB, but its signing of Cease and pursuits of Tucker and a reunion with Bichette could make it less willing to go all-in for Bregman. The Red Sox have plenty of money to re-sign their 2025 third baseman (especially after boasting how much financial freedom the Devers trade would give them) and they should do so before the Blue Jays take the best fit for their vacancy at third base and get even better in the process.