After they lost out in the Juan Soto chase on Dec. 8, the Boston Red Sox set their sights on former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman as their impact bat of the offseason.
After months of negotiation in the race with four other teams — the Astros, Cubs, Tigers and Blue Jays — the Red Sox got their right-handed man. Bregman on Feb. 12 signed a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston, with opt-outs after each season, first reported by Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Bregman sought a contract in the six-to-seven-year range at $200 million, but none of the teams in his market were willing to meet such a price. The Astros offered a six-year, $156 million deal early in the offseason, which remained on the table until Feb. 6, when they increased the offer. Clearly, Bregman preferred a change of scenery, and he officially departed the only franchise for which he's ever played.
The Red Sox and Tigers were the final two teams in the race for the veteran's services. Detroit offered him a six-year, $170 million deal, but Bregman opted for a high average annual value on a prove-it type deal.
The Red Sox finally signed the right-handed bat they needed in Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman, a cornerstone of the Houston Astros’ ascension into an American League superpower, is leaving Houston and signing with the Boston Red Sox for a $40 million AAV. - https://t.co/rsuI60jw0Z
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 13, 2025
Fenway Park is the perfect place for the 31-year-old to boost his value for the next time he hits free agency. The righty is slashing .375/.490/.750 with a 1.240 OPS in 21 career appearances in front of the Green Monster, which will be his best friend in Boston.
After Tyler O'Neill signed with the division-rival Orioles in December, the Red Sox had to replace his right-handed pop in their lineup packed with lefties. Bregman batted .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers in 145 games in his final season with Houston, and he'll go a long way toward balancing the Sox's batting order alongside a healthy Trevor Story.
Bregman was a Gold-Glove-winning third baseman with the Astros, but he mentioned his willingness to switch positions with his new team. Alex Cora, a former coach of Bregman's during his tenure in Houston in 2017, said he always imagined him as a second baseman. Boston hasn't had a consistent second baseman since Dustin Pedroia's retirement, and Bregman is now its best option.
The Red Sox solved two glaring needs in one fell swoop the night pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. Bregman brings much-needed balance to their batting order and elite defense to the middle infield on a short, flexible contract.
Finally, the Red Sox's waiting game worked.