Alex Bregman’s Free Agency Market Is Thinner Than Expected - And the Tigers Might Be Walking Away
Six weeks into the offseason, Alex Bregman is still unsigned. For a player of his pedigree - a two-time All-Star, World Series champion, and one of the most consistent third basemen of the last decade - that’s not the timeline many expected. Especially not Bregman or his agent, Scott Boras.
The silence around Bregman’s market speaks volumes. If a team like the Red Sox had come through with a strong offer, the ink would likely be dry by now.
But the reality is shaping up much differently. Outside of Boston, only a handful of teams - the Tigers, Cubs, and more recently, the Diamondbacks - have been tied to Bregman with any consistency.
And even among those, the interest seems more tepid than aggressive.
The Cubs Aren’t Biting - At Least Not Yet
The Chicago Cubs were once seen as a potential landing spot, but that buzz has cooled significantly. Reports suggest the Cubs are comfortable rolling with Matt Shaw at third base, their promising young infielder. While there’s still some chatter - including from Jim Bowden - that Chicago could move Shaw to second and make room for Bregman, the overall sense is that the Cubs aren't pushing hard here.
Bowden believes the Cubs are best positioned to offer Bregman the long-term deal he's seeking, but that view isn’t widely echoed. Right now, it feels more like a hypothetical than a serious pursuit.
Detroit’s Interest Has Cooled - And That’s a Big Blow
Then there’s Detroit. The Tigers were long rumored to be serious players for Bregman, even dating back to last offseason.
But things have changed. According to multiple reports, including insight from Baseball Tonight’s Buster Olney, the relationship between Bregman’s camp and the Tigers may have soured during past negotiations.
Olney mentioned that things "turned a little bit nasty" last year, with Tigers president Scott Harris reportedly saying, “We can win without Bregman.”
That kind of statement doesn’t just signal a pause in talks - it suggests a philosophical shift. And if Detroit is truly backing away, that’s a major hit to Boras’ leverage. The Tigers were likely a key piece of the negotiating puzzle, a team Boras could point to when trying to boost Bregman’s value in Boston or elsewhere.
Now? That card might be off the table.
Enter the Diamondbacks - But How Real Is It?
Just as the Tigers’ interest began to fade, a new name entered the conversation: the Arizona Diamondbacks. That development raised eyebrows. The D-backs hadn’t been mentioned in Bregman talks all winter - and then, suddenly, reports emerged that they were not only in the mix but possibly willing to offer a six-year deal.
That’s a major shift, and one that came at a convenient time for Boras. But while the interest appears to be legitimate - multiple sources, including The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, have confirmed Arizona’s involvement - the idea of a six-year commitment from a team that hadn’t previously been linked to Bregman feels a bit sudden.
Still, if it’s real, it could be the lifeline Boras needs. Arizona’s a team on the rise, fresh off a postseason run, and adding a veteran like Bregman would solidify their infield and bring championship experience to a young core.
What’s Next for Bregman?
Right now, Bregman’s free agency feels like it’s stuck in neutral. The Red Sox remain the most logical destination, but without another strong bidder in the mix, Boston has little reason to overextend. If the Tigers are truly out, and the Cubs remain on the fence, Boras may need the Diamondbacks' interest to turn into something very real - and very soon.
Otherwise, Bregman could be looking at a deal similar to what he had on the table last offseason. And if that’s the case, there’s a chance he ends up regretting his decision to opt out of the $80 million remaining on his Red Sox contract.
There’s still time for this market to shift. Boras has pulled rabbits out of hats before.
But the clock is ticking, and the usual leverage plays aren’t hitting the same this winter. If the Tigers are done playing ball, the Bregman sweepstakes just got a lot more complicated.