Spring training begins next month and the Boston Red Sox are the only team in MLB that hasn't signed a major league free agent despite targeting the same one all winter.
Boston still has Alex Bregman in its sights and the competition for his services is rumored to be dwindling. The Detroit Tigers aren't expected to be serious bidders, the Arizona Diamondbacks don't have the money to sign him unless they trade Ketel Marte and the Toronto Blue Jays opened the new year by signing Japanese corner infield free agent Kazuma Okamoto.
One might assume that Okamoto would take up third base, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be the Jays' everyday first baseman for quite some time and they have depth infielders to spare. There have been reports that Toronto will use Okamoto in a super utility role, which — unfortunately for Boston — could keep its other free agent interests intact.
The Blue Jays have been aggressive with their spending after their World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The additions of Dylan Cease, Tyler Rogers and Okamoto have made them one of the most fearsome teams in the league, and they may not be done adding. Toronto remains in pursuit of Kyle Tucker, it's continued checking in on Bo Bichette and Bregman could still be in the cards.
Blue Jays not being officially ruled out of Alex Bregman market should have Red Sox on high alert
Mitch Bannon of The Athletic on January 6 reported the Jays' free agent interests in Tucker and Bichette, but made no mention of Bregman (subscription required). That's good news for Boston for now, but if Tucker and Bichette sign elsewhere and Bregman remains on the market, the Blue Jays could swoop in and steal its top target with their immense financial resources.
The easiest way to avoid such a pickle would be for the Red Sox to sign Bregman or Bichette as soon as possible. They've reportedly made an "aggressive" offer to Bregman, but aggression is subjective. The front office refused to make a competitive offer to Pete Alonso due to his age — Bregman is a year older. Hopefully, they don't make the same mistake.
While the Blue Jays haven't been officially ruled out of Bregman's market, the amount of money they've already spent this winter could deter them from signing someone who demands a five-plus year deal (some reports state that Tucker may be forced to settle for a bridge deal this winter, which Bregman has already said he won't do). The Red Sox should pass on the stress of the situation entirely by paying Bregman what he's worth before somebody else does to make their team better than last year's.