The Boston Red Sox have made plenty of big moves this offseason, but they are reportedly looking for another bat to add to their lineup.
While there are many great players available in free agency, the best fit for the Red Sox may be Alex Bregman. He had a resurgent year for the Red Sox and was a great leader in their clubhouse. He will not be cheap, and figures to have many suitors, but MLB.com’s Andrew Simon sees the Red Sox as the perfect fit for him.
“Bregman’s overall numbers were strong, and the Red Sox got a look at the best version of him when he hit .299/.385/.553 before sustaining a right quad injury in late May,” Simon wrote on Wednesday. “By keeping Bregman at the hot corner, Boston could also keep Marcelo Mayer at second, sharpening its defense up the middle.”
Bregman was stellar for the Red Sox, and ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projects him to earn a $170 million deal. While the Red Sox could save some money and move Mayer to third base full-time, it’s hard to argue they’re better without Bregman.
He was an All-Star for the first time since 2019 last season. Losing him would be a major blow. Bregman’s loss may be tougher to overcome in the clubhouse than on the field. He was a guiding force for Boston’s younger stars.
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“He’s like a coach, really,” Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer said to The Athletic in July. “I can’t really say enough of how much he’s helped not only me and Roman (Anthony), but the whole team. He has people coming in early and watching film, whether that’s me, (Jarren) Duran or whoever it may be. And I think he just sees the game at a super advanced level compared to most people.”
Ultimately, Bregman’s familiarity with Boston and the impact he had in their clubhouse make him the best fit for the Red Sox on the open market. He is reportedly Boston’s top priority this offseason, and a deal figures to be more likely than not.
