Alex Bregman To Red Sox? Not Too Early To Think About MLB Free Agency

The Boston Red Sox might still be in contention for an American League wild card spot midway through September, but it’s never too early to consider the upcoming available roster-improving options that could better position the team come 2025.

Boston’s collided with a trend of late-season swoons across the past three seasons, failing to capture a playoff berth since 2021. The front office entrusted the current roster’s young up-and-comers with talents like Jarren Duran, Tanner Houck, Ceddanne Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu and Connor Wong each taking commendable leaps respectively to prevent the season from amounting into a complete dud. Duran and Houck represented the Red Sox in the All-Star Game — Duran was named MVP — and even though the team has encountered a rough late-season storm by going a combined 30-33 since July, only a 4 1/2 game deficit with 14 remaining including Friday night’s against the New York Yankees, is what’s holding the Red Sox back from stepping foot back into the wild card.

The free agency market will provide Boston a strong avenue to alleviate the second-half theatrics of playing catch-up with most of the AL. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow highlighted three key needs for the team before the trade deadline — starting pitching, relief pitching and right-handed hitting — and by entertaining a potential Alex Bregman addition, as suggested by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Boston could fill a primary void in welcoming a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion to Fenway Park; who’s also previously played under manager Alex Cora.

Bregman, so far, has slashed .256/.312/.441 with 22 home runs, 28 doubles and 65 RBIs in Houston, best known as one of the franchise’s catalysts amid their recent dynasty run to multiple World Series titles. He’s also hit .375/.490/.750 (30-for-80) with seven home runs, nine doubles 15 RBIs in 21 career games played at Fenway Park. Viewed as an enemy in Boston, Bregman can easily turn his routine boos into cheers by standing tall at the forefront of the team’s effort in turning the page and returning to its postseason contention form. Bregman is in the final season of a five-year, $100 million contract and will enter his age 31 campaign on Opening Day of next year.

That price point might not hold up considering Bregman’s had a down year being on track to record his lowest RBI total in the past four seasons with relatively average power, and is booked to chase a bounce-back year — like the Red Sox — in 2025. And although Bregman would provide a defensive spark as one of MLB’s most reliable third basemen, the potential addition of Bregman could complicate Boston’s roster positioning next season. Granted, that’s no reason to rule out Bregman as a premature candidate either.

Bregman has called Houston home for the entirety of his nine-year career, therefore, it is too early to pencil him in for an offseason departure.