The Boston Red Sox are still searching for the major roster move that many fans expected during the offseason, but so far, they haven’t made the anticipated splash signing. Despite trading for star pitcher Garrett Crochet, which momentarily calmed the calls for a significant move, the Red Sox still have several gaps to fill. With more than $60 million in available funds before hitting the luxury tax penalty threshold, the team has the financial flexibility to make a major acquisition.
One potential target for the Red Sox is Alex Bregman, the longtime third baseman for the Houston Astros, who will soon become a free agent. Bregman, a two-time Silver Slugger award winner, is regarded as one of the top position players remaining on the free-agent market after Juan Soto’s recent signing with the New York Mets. MLB insider Jon Morosi of MLB Network has given the Red Sox approximately a 50% chance of landing Bregman, citing the Astros as their primary competition. According to Morosi, there is as much of a chance for Bregman to join the Red Sox as there is for him to stay with the Astros.
Morosi’s assessment stems from the Red Sox’s past actions, such as making substantial offers to free agents like Soto and Max Fried, even though they ultimately failed to sign either. In addition, the team recently addressed a rotation vacancy by acquiring Crochet. These moves suggest that the Red Sox still have the financial capability and intent to pursue a significant free-agent acquisition, possibly Bregman, who could be the next big name added to their roster.
Bregman has been one of the best third basemen in Major League Baseball since the Astros won their first World Series in 2017. Given his success and pedigree, it is no surprise that the 29-year-old is reportedly seeking a contract in the neighborhood of $200 million. However, his fit with the Red Sox is not straightforward, given the existing roster construction and positional depth.
Boston’s current third baseman, Rafael Devers, has been a key contributor to the team’s offense, and it would be a tough decision for the Red Sox to shift him from third base, where he is already an established presence. Manager Alex Cora has praised Bregman’s versatility and ability to change positions, and there has been speculation that the Red Sox could slot him in as the team’s second baseman, a position he could potentially excel in. However, Bregman is widely regarded as a superior defender at third base compared to Devers, making it challenging to justify a shift in the infield alignment, especially if both players are expected to be on the team for the long term.
If the Red Sox were to pursue Bregman, they would likely need to make some significant changes to the roster. One potential scenario involves trading first baseman Triston Casas, which would then allow Devers to shift to first base, a position that has been discussed as a possibility in various fan circles. This move could help alleviate the logjam at third base. Another potential option is for Devers to transition to designated hitter, allowing the Red Sox to keep both him and Bregman in the lineup while addressing other roster needs. This scenario might also involve trading outfielder Masataka Yoshida, whose value could be leveraged in such a trade.
While the Red Sox have yet to make a major acquisition this offseason, the team’s actions and financial flexibility suggest that they are still actively pursuing upgrades. Bregman, with his proven track record and potential to make an immediate impact, could be the perfect addition to Boston’s lineup. However, the fit remains complicated due to positional concerns, and any move for Bregman would require careful consideration of the team’s existing roster and long-term plans.
The Red Sox have made it clear they are capable of pursuing high-caliber talent, as evidenced by their past efforts to sign top free agents. If they do decide to make a run at Bregman, the situation will be closely watched, with fans and analysts alike wondering how the team will address the positional logjam and whether a deal will ultimately come to fruition.
In summary, the Boston Red Sox are still in the market for a significant free-agent acquisition, with Alex Bregman emerging as a potential target. The team has the financial flexibility to pursue such a deal, and MLB insider Jon Morosi suggests the Red Sox have a 50% chance of landing Bregman. However, Bregman’s fit with the team is complicated by the presence of Rafael Devers at third base, and any move for the free agent would likely require some roster reshuffling. Whether or not the Red Sox make a serious run at Bregman remains to be seen, but his potential addition would certainly make waves within the organization and the league.
