The New York Mets’ offseason has been a gut punch so far - and we’re only in December. In a matter of weeks, they’ve traded away Brandon Nimmo, watched Edwin Díaz sign with the Dodgers, and saw Pete Alonso take a surprisingly modest deal to join the Orioles. For a fanbase still reeling from last season’s second-half collapse, the hits just keep coming.
And with owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, fans expected reinforcements - not a teardown. Now, the Mets are reportedly in the market for a big-name addition to help stabilize the clubhouse and plug some glaring holes on the field.
One name that’s starting to float around? Alex Bregman.
According to recent reports, the Mets could be eyeing Bregman as a solution at third base - and possibly more. The team’s infield depth is shaky at best, with Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio currently in the mix at the hot corner.
While each has shown flashes, none has locked down the position. Bregman, meanwhile, brings Gold Glove-caliber defense, postseason pedigree, and a reputation as a leader - something the Mets could sorely use, especially amid rumblings of a fractured clubhouse and uncertainty around Francisco Lindor’s leadership role.
But here’s the twist: Bregman is also at the center of the Red Sox’s offseason plans. After a season in which Boston posted the worst defensive numbers in baseball - 116 errors, the most in MLB - Bregman’s glove isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. His right-handed bat, which plays well in Fenway Park’s dimensions, would also provide much-needed balance to a lineup that struggled with consistency.
The Red Sox are desperate for a third baseman who can field the position at an elite level. And Bregman is, quite simply, the best available option.
There’s no one else on the market who offers his combination of defense, experience, and offensive upside. If Boston lets him walk, it’s not clear where they turn next.
That’s why the idea of the Mets jumping into the Bregman sweepstakes is setting off alarm bells in Boston. The Red Sox haven’t exactly inspired confidence with their offseason approach.
Reports suggest they didn’t seriously pursue Alonso due to concerns about his age - even though he’s younger than Bregman - and there’s talk that the front office is hesitant to hand out long-term deals. That kind of hesitation could cost them.
Adding fuel to the fire, Bregman recently changed his Instagram profile photo from a shot of him in the Fenway dugout to a more generic image. Maybe it means nothing. Or maybe it’s a subtle signal that he’s distancing himself from Boston - and open to new suitors.
From the Mets’ perspective, a move for Bregman would make a lot of sense. He fills a position of need, brings a veteran presence to a team that’s lost some of its identity, and could help stabilize a clubhouse that’s reportedly been anything but unified. And while New York passed on Alonso due to price concerns, Bregman might be seen as a better fit - both on the field and in the locker room.
For the Red Sox, the message is clear: if they want Bregman back, they need to act - and fast. Because if the Mets officially join the race, Boston could find itself outbid and outmaneuvered. And given how thin the third base market is, that would leave them scrambling for a plan B that doesn’t really exist.
Bottom line: Bregman’s free agency just got a lot more interesting. And if the Mets are serious about making a splash - or just stopping the bleeding - this could be their moment.