The MLB offseason is winding down, and there is a surprising amount of talent remaining on the market with spring training just one week away.
The Detroit Tigers signed one of the remaining stars on Feb. 2. The Tigers and Jack Flaherty agreed to a two-year, $35 million deal that includes an opt-out after the first season, reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Detroit signed Flaherty for a bargain after his standout 2024 season, which began with the Tigers before they traded him to the Dodgers at the trade deadline. He posted a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts and 19 walks in 106.2 innings with Detroit last season and hoped for a longer deal after such a showing, but will return on another prove-it deal.
The Tigers flexed their free agent signing muscles with Flaherty and reportedly remain in the mix for third baseman Alex Bregman, as Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported. Detroit and the Boston Red Sox have been connected to the veteran nearly all offseason, and MLB insider Bob Nightengale recently named the two clubs "co-favorites" for the veteran.
Red Sox must capitalize and sign Alex Bregman after 'co-favorite' Tigers signed Jack Flaherty
Alex Bregman watch: #Tigers still in mix after signing Jack Flaherty https://t.co/QmhejBUfc3
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) February 3, 2025
But this could be Boston's chance to break from the crowd and sign Bregman. The Tigers aren't known as big spenders, and while the Red Sox haven't won any awards for the size of their payroll in recent years, they still have more money at their disposal than the Tigers or Astros, another one of the few teams in the running for the Gold Glover.
Detroit posted an outstanding second half of the 2024 season and made an unexpected run to the ALDS, with Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal leading the charge. The additions of Flaherty and potentially Bregman could take the Tigers to the next level and bring experience to their young team of mostly lefty hitters — which is exactly what the Red Sox need.
Boston's chances to land Bregman seem slimmer by the day, especially with another long-term offer on the table besides the six-year, $156 million pact offered by the Astros. But, as of now, he is the Red Sox's clearest path to improvement over the 2024 squad. He's a righty, usually with a high walk rate and a history of success at Fenway Park, and brings high-level infield defense, a winning pedigree and years of experience to any clubhouse.
After the Tigers' recent surprise deal with Flaherty, the Red Sox need to make a move. Their window to sign Bregman is as wide open as it's been all winter after Detroit has used some of its usually limited free agent funds. Boston either needs to meet Bregman's contract demands or blow him away with a short-term deal with a high average annual value to ensure its 2025 offense is better than last season's.