The early weeks of the 2025-26 offseason have been brutal for New York Mets fans. New York has traded its longest-tenured player in Brandon Nimmo, its star closer Edwin Diaz signed with the Dodgers and Pete Alonso took an easily beatable contract to take up first base for the Orioles.
After the Mets' ugly collapse in the second half of last season, fans haven't responded well to their recent losses, especially given team owner Steve Cohen's literal mountain of money. Now, they could be in the market for another star to make up for the departures, but the speculation is troublesome for the Boston Red Sox.
Sean McAdam of MassLive theorized that New York could join the market for Alex Bregman to shore up its defense and add a "unifying presence" to its clubhouse (subscription required). Rumors have flown about a disjointed Mets clubhouse and uncertainty about Francisco Lindor's status as a captain — Bregman flexed his leadership skills during his single season with the Sox, and he could be just the veteran and proven winner the Mets need to right their ship.
But the Red Sox need him, too. Not only are they desperate for righty pop, and Bregman's bat plays particularly well in front of the Green Monster (in a healthy season), he's also still an elite defender at the hot corner. Boston had the worst defense in MLB last season and racked up a staggering 116 errors. No third baseman on the market offers the defensive help it needs besides Bregman.
Red Sox insider proposes that Mets could join Alex Bregman market after their early offseason losses
Red Sox Nation hasn't been feeling great vibes around a potential reunion with Bregman, however. Reports that Boston didn't take its pursuit of Pete Alonso seriously because of his age (he's younger than Bregman) and that it "doesn't believe in long-term deals" could spell disaster for its relationship with the third baseman.
Bregman also changed his Instagram profile picture from a picture of himself in the dugout at Fenway Park to a generic picture of himself. The action is possibly innocuous, or it could be a signal that the Red Sox are on the outs in his mind.
The Mets also whiffed on Alonso because they were unwilling to meet his market at his age, which could be a good sign for Boston. Still, New York could use an upgrade at third base with Mark Vientos, Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio among its options, and Bregman is the best available.
If the Red Sox are serious about reuniting with Bregman, they need to make him a serious offer quickly. If the Mets join the market, he could be as good as gone and Boston will have to settle for a lesser option at the hot corner.