Free agent third baseman Alex Bregman is the best position player still on the open market. While a reunion with the Houston Astros technically remains possible, it doesn’t seem likely. Is this the perfect opportunity for a team like the Boston Red Sox to sign him to a big-money deal?
The Astros have already prepared for life without Bregman at the hot corner by trading for third baseman Isaac Paredes and signing first baseman Christian Walker. Boston has been linked to the two-time All-Star slugger for multiple reasons.
Bregman would bring a right-handed bat to manager Alex Cora’s lineup, which is something the club has wanted to do all winter. The 30-year-old could be plugged in at second base, or he could take over third base so Rafael Devers could move to first.
Most importantly, Bregman brings plenty of postseason experience as a two-time World Series champion. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden is predicting the nine-year veteran will soon call Fenway Park home.
“That said, Boston is my favorite spot for Bregman, who will turn 31 in March. They need a right-handed power pull hitter, and he would do significant damage to the Green Monster in left field,” Bowden wrote. “They could move Rafael Devers to first base and put Triston Casas at DH or they could just put Bregman at second base full-time. His leadership and ability to grind at-bats would help this young roster. He could be the final piece in getting the Red Sox back to the postseason.”
Bregman could be looking for a team to offer him $200 million before signing on the dotted line. At the beginning of the offseason, The Athletic’s Tim Britton projected a seven-year, $189 million deal for the third baseman.
