While the relief market has moved quickly, there hasn’t been a ton of activity on the position player front. Kyle Schwarber’s return to Philadelphia on a five-year contract might open things up. Teams like the Orioles, Red Sox and Pirates were in on Schwarber amidst their pursuit of various free agent hitters.
Alex Bregman is unlikely to be a fit for Baltimore or Pittsburgh, but he’s certainly on the radar for Boston. Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe wrote this evening that the Red Sox are making Bregman a priority. The Sox enjoyed an excellent season from the three-time All-Star, who hit .273/.360/.462 with 18 homers across 495 trips to the plate. He’s also highly regarded as a clubhouse leader and could slot back in at third base, allowing the Sox to use Marcelo Mayer at second base.
[Related: The Best Fits For Alex Bregman]
Boston has been loosely linked to a number of marquee middle infielders as well. They’ve checked in on Ketel Marte and Brendan Donovan. A report tonight from Tim Healey of The Boston Globe suggested they’ve at least gauged the Rangers’ interest in moving Corey Seager, though WEEI’s Rob Bradford suggested those conversations haven’t gone anywhere. The Sox have had conversations with top free agent infielder Bo Bichette, but Julian McWilliams of CBS Sports downplayed that fit tonight as well. That all aligns with the idea that the Sox are more focused on Bregman or a pure power bat at first base (e.g. Pete Alonso).
In addition to Boston, Bregman has been tied to the Tigers and Cubs this winter. Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free-Press wrote on Monday afternoon that Detroit’s interest had been fairly muted to this point compared to last offseason, when they are believed to have put forth the highest offer. The Tigers made a six-year proposal narrowly above $170MM a year ago. Bregman opted for a three-year deal with the Sox that allowed him to opt out and return to the market this winter.
Chicago reportedly made a four-year proposal in the $115MM range last offseason. They’re back in the market and met with Bregman via Zoom a few weeks ago, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. However, the Cubs’ interest is complicated by the presence of second-year third baseman Matt Shaw. After a slow start to his career, Shaw had a nice second half that tapped into some of the ability that made him a top prospect. The Cubs have Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson up the middle, so adding Bregman would make for a cluttered infield.
President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer spoke generally about reports that have tied the Cubs to external third basemen. “I’ve been surprised by the number of media reports that link us to different guys. There is zero lack of confidence in Matt. I would say the opposite,” Hoyer said on Monday (link via Jesse Rogers of ESPN). He didn’t refute interest in Bregman specifically, nor are executives allowed to do so under the CBA for any free agent. The Cubs aren’t closing the door on adding a high-end bat to replace Kyle Tucker, but they appear more focused on pitching.
Theoretically, the Cubs could sign Bregman and use Shaw as a trade chip for a mid-rotation starter. That doesn’t seem to be a strong consideration. “When a team calls a player ‘untouchable,’ it’s because his value is so high that it’s just unrealistic to think that anyone else would come over the top and give you something that’s even more than that value. That’s where Matt Shaw comes into play for us,” general manager Carter Hawkins told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. “Is he untouchable? No. No one’s untouchable, but the odds of somebody coming in and giving us an offer that would make us want to move him is really, really low.”
If the Tigers and Cubs stay on the periphery of the market, that could open an opportunity for a dark horse suitor. The Angels and Mets are speculative possibilities. Meanwhile, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic wrote that the Blue Jays could keep an eye on Bregman as a fallback if they don’t come away with one of Tucker or Bichette. The Jays don’t need a third baseman, but both Addison Barger (corner outfield) and Ernie Clement (second base) could play other positions. Toronto’s general willingness to cast a wide net makes them a viable dark horse, though it’d be a surprise if they seriously jumped in on Bregman while Bichette and Tucker are still unsigned.
If we could move McMahon and sign Bergman for no more than 5/$150 I wouldn’t be mad.
I don’t see that happening. I’d rather Murakami if we’re getting a corner type tbh who could split time between 1st/3rd allowing him to get acclimated to the league easier.
Astros offered 6/156, and he wanted 8/200. I think he’s looking for years.
I hope the Red Sox get their man because the Tigers paying that much for a 32-year-old 3B doesn’t make sense when 99 percent of their farm system is infielders.
Has interest in Bregman faded since last season? I don’t sense the Tigers being as hot on him this year.
9 of their top 30. 12 if you include catchers. You were sooooo close.
I feel like it was safe to assume 84LeFlore was using hyerbole.
It was also safe to assume that 84leflore made an asinine comment.
Someone doesn’t understand hyperbole. Get some salve for that butt-hurt.
Don’t make stupid comments and you won’t get called on it.
Or don’t be stupid enough to take internet comments literally
May God guide you through these turbulent times.
The Halo’s Should be in on this. If Rendon comes back he can DH.. Perry said yesterday Rendon is rehabing.
Bruh
rendon? what?
Rehab?
dave – Yes, until his contract is bought out he must continue attempting to play next year. The Angels are hoping to defer the remaining $38M of his contract, but they are not close yet because it would require MLB and MLBPA approval.
He walked away from $80 million to get more because he’s betting that two years from now he won’t be worth the raise he’s trying to get today.
I hope the sox move on from him. He was great for them last year, but the cost is too high. He’s prone to an injury that takes him out for months, and not getting younger, just more expensive.
I’d rather have Alonso over Bregman. The Red Sox need power and Bregman doesn’t bring enough. If they could get both, that would be great, but Henry doesn’t like to spend anymore.
I’m curious: no reservations about how Alonso might age?
I’d be slightly hesitant that his numbers have all trended in the wrong direction prior to this season.
App – It’s not a trend if it changes direction.
Sure it is, best fit line is downward.
…and playing half his games in Fenway, Alonso could easily be a 40-40 man (homers + doubles) for the next couple of years.
Rumor is:
Scott Boras purchased his birth certificate on Queens Blvd…..for $50 bucks!
Sox can make this move happen with $ and then have the pieces for one more impact move with player assets. Let’s make it happen !!
Devers and Bregmans money was reallocated where.. raising bleacher seats from $75 to $100 makes sense.
noname – It is pretty funny how some people here thought the Devers trade was a win just because his salary was gone. Of course they failed to realize the huge amount being pissed away on the Hicks contract, or the fact it either wouldn’t be spent or would be spent foolishly.
I don’t want to hear how it went toward extensions like Roman, does anybody believe he wouldn’t have been extended if Raffy was still on the team?
You didn’t answer the question.. or we’re to accept RS are small market team?
noname – Without knowing what the budget/spending would have been with Raffy and/or Bregman still on the team, it’s impossible to know where those savings are going. Current players are getting pay increases for sure, such as Crochet and Roman and Campbell and Sandoval.
You could say the Gray contract replaces the Giolito contract, but what about the money saved on Liam, Buehler, etc?
Be hilarious if all he can get is 4 years and 100 million this winter
How would he feed his family?
dave – He’s pretty good with trashcans, he’d find some free food that way.
He’s rich any way you slice it, but remember he opted out of 80 million in 2 and rejected Tigers last year for 172, because Boston was better! If he’s with Detroit he could have played in a World Series possibly
It would be hilarious is he got $40 million more guaranteed? You have a strange sense of humor.
He opted out of 80 million in 2 years, so ya him getting 100 after that and turning Detroit down at 172 million would be funny
He opted out of 2/60. That is what those 2 years left on the deal with the Red Sox would have been worth because of the deferred salaries. 2/60.
The deal with Detroit was worth $124 million because of deferrals. If he signs for $100 million without deferred salaries now after earning $30 million in 2025 he will earn more than that contract would have been worth.
He wants the little League stadium in Boston to pad those stats.
Charles – Except despite everyone expecting him to rake at Fenway, he sucked this year at Fenway and actually performed much better on the road.
Maybe it’s because opponents are better at knowing how to pitch hm at Fenway than the Red Sox were.
Yep. He used the Cubs as a bargaining chip last year. His bat plays way better in Boston than Wrigley and he knew it.
Cubs doesn’t need him, stick with Shaw and go with pitching
Sox and Tigers are the cleanest fits. Surprised Boston hasn’t locked him up already after the season he had there. If not they’re allowing themselves to spend for 3rd base in prospects and you’d rather keep those I’d say with the pretty awesome crop they have.
It will be interesting to see if the BoSox Pony up the dollars necessary to sign any FA’s. As long as ticket demand is there and competing is secondary to making money, I’ll have my doubts.
Seems clear now that he should have re-upped on the $40 Million for the next 2 years and just tried to do an extension with the Red Sox.
wrong – No that’s wrong, he did the obvious right thing by opting out.
He will get at least $142M NPV this offseason, $80M more than his Red Sox contract would have been worth.
It’s better to have 6 years of $142M guaranteed income than 2 years of $62M guaranteed income, especially with his injury history.
And it’s still way too early in the offseason, you realize Tucker and Bellinger and Suarez haven’t signed yet … right?
Last offseason Boras and Bregman dragged on negotiations until the day before ST, there’s no need to rush here.
Nobody wants him..
wrong – I’m not a huge fan of Bregman, but plenty of teams want him.
Who?
FPG
Curious, what exactly do you want the Sox to do ? Within reason. As it stands right now,can/would they sign both Bregman and Alonso? I have a hard time seeing them signing both. I think they sign one of them and trade for another right-handed bat. I think they believe there pitching is all set,I don’t agree but whatever. They still have money and a surplus of outfielders and controllable arms to deal with. I would still like to add a top of the rotation pitcher and resign Bregman and roll with what we have. Maybe add a Goldschmidt type to play 1st with Casas.
cdc – hi !
I would be fine with Bregman for $100M/4 yrs, but I know that isn’t happening.
If reports are true the Sox refuse to go over the 2nd CBT threshold, then they’ve got less than $43M of space remaining …. that’s not gonna get both Alonso and Bregman.
spotrac.com/mlb/boston-red-sox/overview
I’d rather they trade for Marte and sign either Suarez or Alonso, but it’s so hard to form an opinion when you don’t know if what the Sox are saying is true or not. I mean they said they were interested in acquiring a premium reliever, but many premium relievers have already signed and the Sox apparently weren’t close on any of them. I just don’t see them winning a bidding war because they refuse to go beyond the amount their 350-person analytics department says the players are worth.
4 of the 5 rotation spots are already taken, and that’s not counting Sandoval ….. zero chance they will sign another top of the rotation pitcher. What are they gonna do with all their MLB-ready starting pitchers?
And Tatis isn’t getting traded.
FPG
I cannot remember a time when the Sox had this many “quality” arms at there disposal. I think Gray and. Bello as #3+. with hope they can be a #2 guy. Early,Tolle , Oviedo,Sandoval,and Crawford being the # 4 &5 guys. To go along with #1 Crochet. That’s 8 starters but no clear cut #2. Would it take a Duran/Abreu & Tolle/Early to get a Ryan or Peralta? Is that to much? I still think we need that #2 guy.
cdc – hi !
Twins already said Ryan is not available.
What about Dobbins? What about Drohan? What about Harrison? What about Sandlin? What about Lyftstine? Oh I meant Uberstine. LOL
FPG – I think you just made my original point for me. Bregman is worth about $100M/4 yrs. You’re not the only one who sees that.
He should have re-upped or re-negotiated from the $40M base for 2 yrs with Red Sox and then negotiated an extension.
Red Sox are his only hope and if they trade for Marte, Bregman is OUT. If the Red Sox get Marte, Bregman has got a problem.
wrong – Great post, I totally agree with everything except I do think some team will give him stupid money (>$130M) because the free agent infielder market is so thin. Even the few guys that are available, like Bo and Murakami and Suarez, are all considered poor defensive options for 3B.
Bregman is easily the most solid defensive 3B available, that will greatly help him get stupid money … shouldn’t be more than $150M though.
Resign Bregman and trade for Marte.
How’s he unlikely a fit for Pittsburgh?
They have the biggest hole at 3B in all of baseball
Oh because MLB is complete horse crap and only the same 6 teams sign anyone notable?
Yep.
Are there any positions that aren’t a hole in Pittsburgh? Other that SP of course.