Are the Crimson Sox turning their consideration to Alex Bregman after shedding out on Juan Soto?
That’s the scuttlebutt on the MLB winter conferences in Dallas, with each WEEI’s Rob Bradford and NESN’s Tom Caron indicating Boston’s curiosity in Bregman is legit.
Bradford reported shortly after Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets on Sunday night time that Boston would possibly instantly prioritize Bregman in free company. The Crimson Sox insider added extra context Monday on WEEI’s “Jones and Keefe.”
“I do assume what they’re centered on is Alex Bregman. And I might not have mentioned that 24 hours in the past,” Bradford mentioned. “I didn’t account for Alex Bregman in the way in which that perhaps I ought to have accounted for in how a lot they’re prioritized — as a result of right-handed hitter, clearly, open to a transfer to second base, a championship pedigree. Sure, I perceive in regards to the championship he received in Houston, however nonetheless, the kind of man that they want in that clubhouse from a position-player standpoint. It checks off lots, a number of containers.
“His value goes to be — proper now, it’s uncomfortable, as a result of (agent Scott Boras) is feeling good about himself. However nonetheless, to me, from what I hear, this can be a very, very actual factor in the case of the Crimson Sox prioritizing this man.”
Story continues beneath commercial
Bregman isn’t with out his drawbacks. He’s coming into his age-31 season — Soto simply turned 26 — and regressed a bit since his MVP runner-up peak in 2019. Plus, he’ll price a bunch of cash and require the Crimson Sox to relinquish a draft decide because the Houston Astros prolonged him a qualifying supply earlier this offseason.
However there’s lots to like about Bregman’s sport, too. Specifically, he’d infuse some right-handed thump right into a left-handed-heavy lineup. And he simply earned his first profession Gold Glove, albeit at third base, the place Rafael Devers is locked in for the foreseeable future. So, he’d theoretically enhance Boston’s infield protection, nonetheless the alignment shakes out.
Caron posted the next on X on Monday afternoon: “Sox occupied with Bregman is actual. They aren’t considering of him as a 3B match. There may be presently no plan in place to maneuver Devers to a brand new place. However that may change, after all.”
There’s been a ton of dialog about how the Crimson Sox will pivot after lacking out on Soto. In spite of everything, they reportedly prolonged a monstrous supply to Soto earlier than he determined to affix the Mets. So, Boston clearly is prepared to be aggressive.
Story continues beneath commercial
The Crimson Sox may goal beginning pitching, with Corbin Burnes and Max Fried the highest two hurlers accessible in free company. Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander are a few names to observe, as nicely, given they provide right-handed pop.
Bregman is aware of Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora from the latter’s time on Houston’s teaching workers. Maybe the match, whereas unconventional and costly at first look, will show too good to go up.
