An hour after the Red Sox’s season ended Thursday night, Alex Bregman was still in uniform, seemingly hesitant to let the 2025 season — and perhaps his time in Boston? — officially come to its conclusion.
Bregman can opt out of the final two years and $80 million — $40 million of which is deferred — of the three-year, $120 million deal he signed with the Red Sox last February. According to a source, it’s a near certainty that Bregman will opt out and test free agency for a second straight year, this time without a qualifying offer attached to him.
Bregman’s annual average salary of $40 million, even with the deferrals, puts him in elite company, though he’ll be entering his age-32 season in 2026, giving him incentive to find a deal that takes him past ‘27.
“I struggle to see him sustaining that level of AAV [annual average value],” an American League executive said. “But the total guarantee should be well north of $80 million.”
A productive first half landed Bregman on his third AL All-Star team, as he hit .299 with 11 home runs, 35 RBIs and a .938 OPS in 51 games before a right quad strain sidelined him for seven weeks. After returning on July 11, Bregman hit .250 with seven homers, 27 RBIs and a .724 OPS over his final 63 games, though his numbers declined in a major way over his final 35 games (.203 average, two homers, 10 RBIs and a .585 OPS after Aug. 17).
Bregman’s comments following the elimination loss to the Yankees gave the impression that he is open to a return to Boston next season, though he noted that he hadn’t been thinking about his contractual situation “at all” to this point.
“I’m going to think about this game and the guys in the room, start my offseason and get after it and become a better baseball player,” Bregman said.
“Proud of the guys for fighting all year,” he added. “Remember the feeling, because it sucks. You don’t want to feel it. Take it into your offseason, continue to get better. I think we can look around the room, and every single player in this locker room got better as the year went on. There are no steps back now. There are only steps forward.”
The possibility of Bregman returning to the Red Sox is hardly a stretch, as he was a good fit in the clubhouse and performed well when he was healthy. Boston should also have plenty of money to spend after shedding Rafael Devers’ contract in a midseason trade with the Giants, so perhaps the two sides will work out a long-term extension before it ever comes to an opt-out.
“I think he thinks there is unfinished business there,” an AL executive said. “They could restructure something longer-term.”
Even if Bregman wants to stay in Boston, he and his agent, Scott Boras, could use the opt-out clause to gauge what kind of dollars and years are out there for the taking.
“He probably tests the whole market unless Boston pays a premium,” another AL executive said, predicting a front-loaded five-year contract for the third baseman.
“I think a lot of it depends on how much he has enjoyed his time in Boston,” a National League executive said. “Assuming the change in scenery was something he took to, I could see him opening up again to see what the bidding might bring this time around.”
The consensus around the league is that a Bregman-Boston reunion remains the most likely scenario, though should the two part ways, that could open up the possibility of the Sox making a push for a free-agent power bat such as Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber.
The Tigers were Bregman’s most aggressive bidder last season, presenting a chance for him to reunite with A.J. Hinch, who managed him in Houston. Detroit offered six years and $171.5 million with $40 million in deferrals and an opt-out clause after 2026, and while Bregman’s camp made some counteroffers, the two sides never found common ground.
Could the Tigers make another run at Bregman? Having reached the postseason for a second straight year, Detroit showed that it is ready to compete on a regular basis, which could be a selling point if the organization pursues Bregman.
The Cubs also made a push for Bregman last winter, offering him a four-year, $120 million deal with opt-outs after both the 2026 and ‘27 seasons. Matt Shaw posted a solid rookie season at third base for Chicago, but the Cubs could take another run at Bregman if he hits the open market.
The Astros made Bregman a six-year, $156 million offer last winter, but Houston never budged off that number, instead letting its longtime star depart for Boston’s deal. A reunion seems like a long shot, but anything is possible.
The Blue Jays were rumored to have interest in Bregman last winter, but Toronto never actually engaged with Boras on the matter. Could that change this winter? Depending on how the postseason plays out, the Jays — who have more than $55 million coming off the books — could revisit Bregman. The Dodgers have a $10 million club option on Max Muncy and could be on the hunt for a new third baseman, as could the Mariners, who acquired impending free agent Eugenio Suárez this summer.
