In two months or so, the Boston Red Sox will find out if Alex Bregman plans to opt out of his three-year contract to take his talents to the free agent market.
Bregman fell into lockstep with the Red Sox quickly after he signed with them in February. Players praised his leadership skills and his baseball mind, and the two-time World Series champion has brought experience and insight to a clubhouse of young players who desperately needed those things. The Red Sox understand this, but so do other teams that will covet the star in free agency, should be opt out of his contract.
During a September 11 radio appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show," Red Sox CEO and president Sam Kennedy attested that the Sox want to keep Bregman in Boston. He also mentioned that Bregman wants to stay, refuting a recent report made by MLB insider Jeff Passan, which stated that Bregman will opt out of his contract.
"We were all surprised by that report given, we just haven't had discussions with Alex about anything other than the goal at hand right now... so that will all take care of itself," Kennedy said. "He wants to be here, we want him to be here, and I'll leave it at that, but he's such an important part of this season and what we're doing."
Red Sox CEO/president Sam Kennedy attests Alex Bregman wishes to stay in Boston
Does Sam Kennedy believe Alex Bregman wants to be in Boston long term? Kennedy addresses the @JeffPassan report. #mlb
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) September 11, 2025
Kennedy on Bregman: "He wants to be here. We want him to be here" @WEEI pic.twitter.com/YDoSPP7Uk5
The Red Sox's management and front office have made clear how much they value Bregman as a player and leader. He's posted one of the best offensive seasons of his career (.279/.362/.474 through 101 games) playing half his games at Fenway Park, despite missing nearly two months of playing time with a quad injury.
Boston knows how badly it needs to re-sign Bregman because it doesn't have a backup plan for third base if he opts out to sign elsewhere in free agency. After trading Rafael Devers, the Red Sox also abandoned much of the leverage they had in any negotiations with Bregman (his quad injury and current offensive slump could counteract some of the loss, however). Bregman could still return to the Red Sox if he opts out of his deal in hopes to secure more money, but another team could snatch him up, as well. The Cubs, Tigers and Blue Jays were among Boston's competition for Bregman last season, and they remain good fits for his services next season.
Kennedy's comments show that the Red Sox understand Bregman's value to the team, and hopefully, he's correct about the third baseman's desire to continue playing in Boston. The front office needs to make sure Bregman is on the 2026 roster to keep a critical clubhouse leader and its only current option at third base.