Red Sox Predicted to Sign Three-Time All-Star Amid Rumors

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly made Alex Bregman their top priority this offseason, but there is no deal in place yet.

The winter meeting came and went without Bregman signing a contract. He is one of the better free agents remaining now that Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso have signed new deals. Bregman figures to have multiple suitors, but USA Today’s Bob Nightengale predicted he would stay with the Red Sox.

Bregman opted out of his deal, which had two years and $40 million remaining on it. He is likely looking for a deal that has more years and guarantees attached, but the $40 million average annual salary will be nearly impossible to get on a long-term deal.

Nightengale predicted that Bregman’s next deal with the Red Sox would not even come close to the average annual salary he left behind. However, his deal will likely include more years and guarantees, which is what he is reportedly looking for.

Bregman was a key player for the Red Sox last season, both on the field and in the clubhouse. He was praised as a leader throughout the season and was also named an All-Star for the third time in his career.

It was his first All-Star selection since 2019. He was a back-to-back All-Star in 2018 and 2019 for the Houston Astros. He had a .970 OPS and won a Silver Slugger in those two years. In the five seasons between then and last season, his OPS was .795.

Last season, Bregman posted a .273/360/.462 slash line in 114 games. He had a great season, but was having an even better season before a quad injury cost him a month. Before his injury, he was hitting .299 with a .938 OPS. He was top-ten in OPS at the time and was on pace to have a phenomenal season.