Alex Bregman Watch Heats Up: Diamondbacks Enter the Chat, Red Sox Face Familiar Crossroads
For weeks, the Alex Bregman market had been eerily quiet. While fellow Scott Boras clients like Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso were cashing in during the Winter Meetings, there wasn’t much noise surrounding the three-time All-Star third baseman. But that changed in a hurry on December 16, when a new suitor emerged-and it wasn’t the team many expected.
According to insider Bob Nightengale, the Arizona Diamondbacks have entered the Bregman conversation, reportedly “kicking the tires” on the 31-year-old slugger. That development came on the same day that Red Sox media personality Jared Carrabis-who has close ties to Bregman-voiced concern over a potential reunion in Boston. Carrabis even responded directly to Nightengale’s report, saying the D-backs are “more than kicking the tires,” suggesting that Arizona’s interest may be more serious than it initially seemed.
That’s not exactly the news Red Sox fans were hoping for.
Boston had been loosely linked to Bregman throughout the offseason, but nothing concrete had surfaced. With Alonso and Schwarber now off the board, the urgency for the Red Sox to make a move at the hot corner has only grown.
As MassLive’s Chris Cotillo noted, Boston’s need for a player like Bregman has become more glaring-but need doesn’t always translate into action. And so far, there’s been no official word on contract figures or how far along any negotiations might be.
What makes the Diamondbacks’ involvement particularly intriguing is how it could reshape their infield. Nightengale pointed out that Arizona could create room for Bregman by moving Ketel Marte-potentially opening up second base for top prospect Jordan Lawlar, who has been playing third. That’s a significant domino to consider, especially with Marte reportedly drawing interest from multiple teams, including the Rays, Mariners, and Blue Jays.
The Red Sox, interestingly enough, had also been tied to Marte in recent trade chatter. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal reported that Arizona would likely need to move Marte before finalizing any deal with Bregman. That’s a lot of moving parts, and it adds another layer of complexity to Boston’s offseason plans.
If this all feels a little familiar to Red Sox Nation, there’s a reason. Back in 2010, Boston signed a 31-year-old Adrian Beltre to a one-year “pillow” contract.
Beltre responded with one of the best seasons of his career. And then?
The Red Sox let him walk. He went on to build a Hall-of-Fame résumé in Texas, and Boston has been trying to fill that void at third base ever since.
Now, history might be knocking again.
Bregman, like Beltre, is a proven veteran at the same position and same age, potentially available on a short-term deal. And once again, the Red Sox are staring at a chance to land a high-upside player who could stabilize their infield and bring postseason experience to a young roster. The question is whether they’ll make the move-or watch another franchise, this time perhaps the defending National League champions, capitalize instead.
With Bregman’s market finally starting to move, the pressure is on. If Boston wants a reunion, they may need to act fast. Because Arizona, and possibly others, are circling.