Are the Red Sox turning their consideration to Alex Bregman after shedding out on Juan Soto?
That’s the scuttlebutt on the MLB winter conferences in Dallas, with each WEEI’s Rob Bradford and NESN’s Tom Caron indicating Boston’s curiosity in Bregman is legit.
Bradford reported shortly after Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets on Sunday evening that Boston would possibly instantly prioritize Bregman in free company. The Red Sox insider added extra context Monday on WEEI’s “Jones and Keefe.”
“I do suppose what they’re targeted on is Alex Bregman. And I might not have mentioned that 24 hours in the past,” Bradford mentioned. “I didn’t account for Alex Bregman in the way in which that possibly I ought to have accounted for in how a lot they’re prioritized — as a result of right-handed hitter, clearly, open to a transfer to second base, a championship pedigree. Yes, I perceive in regards to the championship he gained in Houston, however nonetheless, the kind of man that they want in that clubhouse from a position-player standpoint. It checks off so much, numerous packing containers.
“His worth goes to be — proper now, it’s uncomfortable, as a result of (agent Scott Boras) is feeling good about himself. But nonetheless, to me, from what I hear, this can be a very, very actual factor in the case of the Red Sox prioritizing this man.”
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Bregman isn’t with out his drawbacks. He’s coming into his age-31 season — Soto simply turned 26 — and regressed a bit since his MVP runner-up peak in 2019. Plus, he’ll value a bunch of cash and require the Red Sox to relinquish a draft choose because the Houston Astros prolonged him a qualifying provide earlier this offseason.
But there’s so much to like about Bregman’s sport, too. Namely, he’d infuse some right-handed thump right into a left-handed-heavy lineup. And he simply earned his first profession Gold Glove, albeit at third base, the place Rafael Devers is locked in for the foreseeable future. So, he’d theoretically enhance Boston’s infield protection, nevertheless the alignment shakes out.
Caron posted the next on X on Monday afternoon: “Sox concerned about Bregman is actual. They usually are not considering of him as a 3B match. There is at present no plan in place to maneuver Devers to a brand new place. But that may change, after all.”
There’s been a ton of dialog about how the Red Sox will pivot after lacking out on Soto. After all, they reportedly prolonged a monstrous provide to Soto earlier than he determined to hitch the Mets. So, Boston clearly is prepared to be aggressive.
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The Red Sox might goal beginning pitching, with Corbin Burnes and Max Fried the highest two hurlers out there in free company. Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander are a few names to watch, as nicely, given they provide right-handed pop.
Bregman is aware of Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora from the latter’s time on Houston’s teaching employees. Perhaps the match, whereas unconventional and costly at first look, will show too good to cross up.
