BOSTON — At some point in the next few days, the Red Sox will get the all but inevitable news that third baseman Alex Bregman has opted out of the final two seasons of the three-year, $120 million contract he signed to come to Boston just eight months ago.
Though Bregman certainly enjoyed his time in Boston, he plans to see what the free-agent market has in store for him now that, unlike a year ago, there is no qualifying offer attached to him.
Here is a look at how things could shape up at the hot corner for the Red Sox for 2026 and beyond.
Just because Bregman — according to numerous media outlets, including MLB.com — plans to opt out doesn’t mean he’s closed the door on a return to Boston.
The 31-year-old will likely seek long-term security (five years or more) with a team that projects to be in the mix through the life of the contract.
The Red Sox, backed by a young core that Bregman took great pride in mentoring this past season, should be contenders in the coming years.
However, Boston preferred a shorter-term deal with a high AAV and a lot of deferred money back in February. Will the club’s stance change now that it has had a closer look at what Bregman offers to a team?
Marcelo to the hot corner
If Bregman leaves, the Red Sox have a top internal candidate to replace him at third base in Marcelo Mayer.
Though Mayer is a shortstop by trade, Trevor Story — assuming he doesn’t opt out of the final two years of his contract — is expected to remain entrenched at that position.
When Bregman was on the injured list for seven weeks last summer, Mayer looked like a natural third baseman while filling in.
However, for Mayer to be a mainstay at third, he’ll have to show an uptick offensively from the .674 OPS he produced in his first 136 career plate appearances.
If Mayer winds up at third, the Red Sox will likely have a righty bat to platoon there with him, at least for the start of the season. Mayer had a .416 OPS in just 27 plate appearances against lefties.
Acquire a power bat at third
With or without Bregman, it is clear the Red Sox need to add some more power to the lineup. If that slugger ends up being a third baseman, Eugenio Suárez is by far the most impactful bat available in free agency. The 34-year-old tied a career high with 49 homers in ‘25 while splitting the season between Arizona and Seattle. His right-handed bat would certainly play at Fenway.
The Dodgers hold a $10 million option on Max Muncy. Though it seems more probable than not they would pick that up, Muncy would be another person of interest for the Red Sox if he hits free agency.
If Mayer ends up being the choice at third base, the Red Sox could look to fill their power need at either second base or first base. The Mets’ Pete Alonso, much like Bregman, seems sure to opt out. The big right-handed-hitting first baseman has light-tower power.
The Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette is another one to keep an eye on. Bichette had an .840 OPS in 2025. The career shortstop, who is in his prime at 27 years old, might be willing to move to second base. There’s also a chance Story would move to second to accommodate Bichette.
Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres, a man the Sox know well from his days with the Yankees, isn’t a big bopper, but he’s a solid hitter who could be counted on for 15-20 homers.
