After nearly two months on the shelf with a quad injury, Alex Bregman is back in the Boston Red Sox's lineup as the team pushes toward buying at the trade deadline.
After Boston's early first-half disappointment, marked by strikeouts, sloppy defense, rough pitching, and a near .500 record, some speculation arose that it may seek to trade Bregman. The third baseman has opt-outs after each of the first two years of his contract with the Sox, and his career-best first half has plenty of media and fans afraid he may depart for a long-term deal.
But the Red Sox plan to stand firm with Bregman, per Sean McAdam of MassLive. With Rafael Devers gone, Boston needs Bregman in its lineup to stay afloat — he brings pop and star power the Sox lack. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal also shot down any possibility of the Red Sox trading Bregman before the deadline, saying: "Anyone waiting for a Bregman trade should also be waiting for me to posterize [Victor] Wembanyama. One notion is as preposterous as the other."
Bregman is open to signing with the Red Sox long-term, which was surprising to hear midseason from a Scott Boras client. Despite his willingness to stick around in Boston. McAdam characterized extension conversations between the two sides as "casual," while Rob Bradford of WEEI reports that Bregman and the Red Sox haven't had any extension talks.
Red Sox have no intention of trading Alex Bregman at the deadline, but have not begun extension talks
One top Red Sox official dismissed the idea that the team would look into trading Alex Bregman if a contract extension can’t be reached before trade deadline, saying: “We’re trying to win.” Contract talks have been casual, with club more focused on draft, deadline etc.
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) July 9, 2025
Based on his early success with the Red Sox, it's clear they and Bregman belong together. He's slashing .298/.380/.546 with a .926 OPS through 53 games, and he owns a career 1.029 OPS at Fenway Park. Boston has no excuse not to extend him with Devers' contract off the books.
Bregman's numbers with the Red Sox could create interest in him this coming offseason after his market was surprisingly small in 2024-25. Boston should extend him before he sees offers from other clubs, but, understandably, returning to the postseason is its No. 1 focus at the moment, especially after three straight misses. After the trade deadline, the front office should enter full extension mode.
The Red Sox have already seen what kind of player and leader Bregman can be — multiple players have attributed part of their offensive success to him. Extending him before the season ends would raise the team's already astronomical vibes to a new level.