Jewish third baseman Alex Bregman has entered free agency for the second time in two seasons. He signed a three-year deal worth $120 million with the Boston Red Sox ahead of the 2025 season, but it included opt-outs after each season.
Bregman elected to exercise his opt-out clause following the first Red Sox playoff appearance since 2021, resulting in elimination by the New York Yankees in the wild card round.
Bregman once appeared as a potential Houston Astro for life. The second round pick of the 2015 draft spent nine years on the team, including two World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.
In 2025, Bregman played only 114 games, missing 43 due to a quadriceps injury sustained in late May. When he took the field, Bregman recorded his best batting average since 2019 with a .273 mark that became reminiscent of when he finished second on the 2019 American League MVP ballot.
Two teams lead the online discussion amongst fans for who will land the third baseman. The Red Sox have made it known that they would love to retain Bregman, who served a veteran leadership role, helping rookies Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer improve their skills.
The Detroit Tigers are another top suitor. They made a long-term offer to Bregman last offseason, but he rejected their proposal.
University of Maryland junior Jackson Wantman is a lifelong baseball and Red Sox fan. Wantman presumes the main rumors are true. Bregman will either join Boston or Detroit.
“I think it’s gonna come down to the same two teams that it did last offseason when he was a free agent,” Wantman said.
Both teams have a top two-strikeout starting pitcher in 2025. Each team has young players who can play third base. The Red Sox have Mayer and the Tigers have Colt Keith, who signed a 6-year, $28.6 million deal in 2024 that can grow to $82 million over nine years. Bregman played under both managers, spending 2016 to 2019 under current Tigers manager AJ Hinch.
Boston has flexibility with their position players. Utility players Romy Gonzalez, David Hamilton and Nick Sogard can play each infield position. On the other hand, Detroit’s infield is more set in stone. Keith can play at all infield spots except shortstop, but each position has a returning starter.
Other teams have their names attached to Bregman’s free agency, including the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, but neither is seen as a top contender like Boston and Detroit. However, both Chicago and Philadelphia need a third baseman and have the money to make Bregman an offer.
Fellow Maryland junior Ryan Martin is another lifelong baseball and Red Sox fan. He believes that despite Bregman’s connection to Hinch, Bregman will remain a Red Sox.
“I do think that Boston and Craig Breslow will do anything they can to make sure that Bregman is in Boston again for next season. I think Alex is coming back to Boston,” Martin said.
