After nine seasons and two World Series titles in Houston, Alex Bregman hit free agency last year for the first time in his career. The market didn’t quite respond the way he might’ve hoped, but he still landed a hefty three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Now, just one season into that contract, Bregman has opted out-clearly betting on himself to secure the long-term deal he’s been eyeing. But so far, that bet isn’t paying off the way he might’ve envisioned.
With two weeks to go before Christmas and spring training still a couple months out, Bregman’s free agency market is quieter than expected. According to recent reports, interest around the league has been surprisingly muted. Even the Detroit Tigers-who reportedly offered him a six-year, $171.5 million deal last offseason-haven’t emerged as serious players this time around.
That’s a notable shift. Last winter, Detroit was seen as one of Bregman’s top suitors outside of Boston.
Now, they’ve yet to make a move, and the market overall seems hesitant. Whether it’s age, injury history, or simply timing, Bregman may be facing the reality that another massive payday isn’t guaranteed.
Still, there’s one team that knows exactly what Bregman brings to the table-and that’s the Red Sox.
“We're having a bunch of conversations,” said Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. “We had the chance to see up close what Alex can bring to the clubhouse and to the field.”
And what Bregman brought in 2025 was far from insignificant.
Despite missing time with a knee injury, he played 114 games and posted a .273/.360/.462 slash line. That came with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and a 128 OPS+. His 3.5 bWAR shows a player who still impacts the game on both sides of the ball, and his walk and strikeout rates-10.3% and 14.1%, respectively-reflect a hitter who continues to control the zone well.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Bregman cooled off in the second half, hitting just .250/.341/.386 after the All-Star break. That dip, combined with the time missed due to injury, may be contributing to the current hesitation from other teams.
Still, in Boston, Bregman proved he’s more than just a stat line. His defense at third base helped stabilize the infield, and his leadership in a young clubhouse was a key factor in pushing the Red Sox back into the postseason for the first time since 2021. For a team trying to build sustainable success, that kind of presence matters.
That’s why Boston bringing him back feels like the most logical move of the offseason. There’s a clear fit here-on the field, in the locker room, and in the team’s broader plans. The Red Sox are looking to build on last season’s momentum, and Bregman is the kind of veteran cornerstone who can help anchor that effort.
The question now is whether both sides can come to terms on a new deal. The Red Sox have other roster needs to address, and locking in Bregman sooner rather than later would give them the flexibility to focus elsewhere. For Bregman, returning to a team that values his contributions and offers a competitive window might be more valuable than chasing the biggest contract.
At 32, he’s still got plenty of baseball left in him. The numbers show a productive player with a championship pedigree. The intangibles-leadership, experience, and postseason poise-only add to his value.
So while the market may be slow right now, don’t count Bregman out. He’s still a difference-maker. And if Boston is smart, they’ll make sure he stays right where he is.