The Boston Crimson Sox’s offseason work paid dividends when Alex Bregman was considering his choices from afar.
Earlier than Bregman and the Crimson Sox agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract final week, the 30-year-old met with the membership. Boston chief baseball officer Craig Breslow laid out the crew’s offseason intentions to Bregman and agent Scott Boras, and the crew caught with its blueprint. The Crimson Sox upgraded their pitching employees immensely, making the vacation spot much more enticing as soon as it grew to become time for Bregman to decide.
It was a no brainer for the two-time World Collection champion at that time.
“It simply confirmed that they weren’t speaking the discuss in California once we met,” Bregman mentioned on NESN’s “310 To Left” podcast. “It was strolling the stroll, and so they have been going out to make this crew higher. Clearly, in speaking with (Breslow), their predominant goal in the beginning of the offseason was to assault the pitching. It took some time through the offseason, I do know, however I used to be laughing with A.C. earlier saying, ‘Hey, I used to be early to spring coaching. It didn’t take that lengthy.’”
Bregman’s arrival, whereas a long-awaited one, got here simply in time for all events concerned. The Crimson Sox landed their offseason’s crowning glory, keen to hitch a roster crammed with enhancements, veteran expertise and a typical purpose: contending in 2025.
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Boston started by addressing its bullpen. The Crimson Sox signed longtime flamethrower Aroldis Chapman, giving the roster a big-name nearer candidate. Boston’s efforts continued as Breslow and the entrance workplace turned their consideration to the rotation and purchased starter Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in alternate for 4 prospects, together with catcher Kyle Teel. The Crimson Sox additionally signed fellow beginning pitchers Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval to reinforce depth.
The pitching enhancements additionally allowed Garrett Whitlock, recent off a season-ending shoulder damage, to return to the bullpen the place he flourished throughout his first two years with the Crimson Sox. So whereas that’s not a market addition, Whitlock’s position shift additionally improves the crew’s depth and it was solely potential by the offseason labor led by Breslow.
Nonetheless, that wasn’t the solely issue that ought to’ve swayed Bregman to hitch Boston.
Bregman’s observe document at Fenway Park isn’t solely spectacular, it challenges baseball’s all-time greats. He’s slashed .375/.490/.750 with seven dwelling runs, 9 doubles and 15 RBIs in 21 profession regular-season video games at Fenway. Bregman’s 1.240 OPS is the very best ever amongst gamers with at the very least 75 plate appearances at Boston’s dwelling turf, placing Bregman forward of Corridor of Famer Frank Robinson (1.118)
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“It’s gonna be superior,” Bregman mentioned. “Simply from speaking with all the fellows, they rave about taking part in at Fenway, in entrance of nice followers and I’m wanting ahead to it. I’m wanting ahead to the problem and I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a tricky division — it’s each single 12 months — and we gotta concentrate on the place our ft are and concentrate on spring coaching first. However once we get there, there’s gonna be an vitality, I really feel like, that’s completely different.”
Bregman collided with the Crimson Sox 3 times within the playoffs all through his nine-year run with the Houston Astros, giving the two-time All-Star a style of what Boston’s trustworthy is like in October when the stakes are raised. He’s already hoisted the Commissioner’s Trophy twice in Houston and can intention to information the Crimson Sox again towards their subsequent.
Boston will face the Northeastern Huskies Friday at 1:05 p.m. ET from Fort Myers, Fla., to get the spring coaching exhibition underway.
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