Alex Bregman to test free agency after reportedly opting out of contract with Red Sox

Alex Bregman’s time in Boston could be short-lived. 

The veteran third baseman is expected to opt out of his contract with the Red Sox and test the open market after a strong season in Boston, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. 

Bregman, 31, joined the Red Sox on a three-year, $120-million deal prior to spring training. His deal had options, where Bregman could opt out of it after each season with the Sox. His decision to opt out, leaving two years and $80 million on the table, is not surprising, as he hopes to secure a new deal with the club or elsewhere.

"I know that he's the only guy who's got his mind set on what he's gonna do," Alex Cora said on the "310 to Left" podcast this week. "But I'm gonna stay very positive. This is a guy that chose us last year because of the right reasons.

"He wanted to be on a playoff team. He wanted to play in Fenway Park. He wanted to be part of this organization, and since day one, he's given 100% to us. ... Him and Reagan (Bregman's wife), they know what they're gonna do, and we just have to wait and see."

The past season, Bregman delivered solid numbers, hitting .273 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI with an .821 OPS. He was voted to his third All-Star team but opted out of the Mid-Summer Classic due to being on the injured list with a right quad issue. Prior to his injury, Bregman hit .299 with 11 homers and posted a .938 OPS in 51 games. He missed seven weeks and completely cooled off at the plate, hitting just .250 with seven homers and 27 RBI, and owned a .727 OPS in the second half. He also scuffled at the plate in the month of September, hitting just .216 with two homers and nine RBI with 12 strikeouts in 88 at-bats.

Bregman took a step back defensively from last season. He was worth one Defensive Run Saved and three Outs Above Average in 972 1/3 innings at the hot corner. For comparison, while with the Astros in 2024, he was worth 6 DRS and 8 OAA, according to Baseball Savant. It’s quite possible that Bregman’s quad injury limited his range down the stretch, because despite entering his 30s, he’s still considered an above-average defender at third base.

In the short term, Bregman opting out creates a temporary hole at third base. Boston is expected to be a favorite to re-sign him to a new deal that should offer more in terms of years than his current deal. Bregman can’t officially make his decision until five days after the World Series.

After the Red Sox were eliminated in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card by the Yankees, the veteran was asked if he had any thoughts on what he was going to do in the coming weeks regarding his contract.

“Not even thinking about that at all right now. Thinking about the game that just happened,” Bregman said. "I’m gonna think about this game and the guys in the room and start my offseason. Get after it and become a better baseball player."

Many within the Sox’ front office expected Bregman to opt out of his deal before he went on the injured list. His leadership and postseason experience will be attractive to teams this winter.

“Obviously, Alex has the right, as structured in his contract, to opt out, and he’s going to do what’s best for his family,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said last week to reporters during the year-end media scrum. “I will not miss an opportunity to talk about his contributions on the field, in the clubhouse, to the coaching staff, and to the front office. Every conversation we’ve had, I learned something. I think that impact and influence has rubbed off on his teammates, and by all accounts, he’s loved his time in Boston as well.

“We’ll let that play out. But the significance would be having a great player, a proven winner, a strong defender, someone who fits this park really well on our roster.”

Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, were open to a contract extension earlier in the season, but the two sides never had serious conversations about getting something done.

“I always tell the team—and Alex directs me to tell them—we’re always open to any conversation,” said Boras, in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey back in late June. “Any player who plays well somewhere, it’s something that’s important for the team and important for the player. It’s an additive.”

Bregman will enter free agency without having a qualifying offer attached to him, which means any team signing him would surrender a draft pick. Boston has the money to bring Bregman back on a new deal, and it would make sense to find a way to re-sign the infielder, given they traded Rafael Devers this past season.

Bregman was a massive clubhouse leader and influence on the younger players. He spent time with Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kristian Campbell in spring training, including taking the team bus on road trips in Florida. After Boston promoted Anthony, the team assigned their top prospect a locker situated between Bregman’s locker and Jarren Duran’s locker in the clubhouse.

He served as a de facto hitting coach to the team’s younger players while also offering intel to Red Sox pitchers over the course of the season.

Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story, who can also opt out of his deal with Boston, wants the club to make bringing back Bregman this offseason a top priority.

“You saw the impact he had on this organization on the field and off the field, leadership-wise,” Story said of Bregman. “All of it. He’s a special player and a special mind. Obviously, very sought-after. He helped us get to where we are today, and hopefully, we can help him for a long time.

“It’s huge. A guy who has been in the postseason nine years in a row. It’s important to have experienced guys, especially in the postseason, and he’s obviously a huge part of this team. I think he’s a huge priority.”

If Bregman indeed hits free agency and doesn’t agree to a new deal with Boston beforehand, he will join Kyle Tucker, Pete Alonso, Bo Bichette, and Kyle Schwarber as the top position players on the market. Bregman will be the top third baseman available, with the Mariners’ Eugenio Suárez as another viable option for teams.

Many in the industry expect Bregman to return to the Red Sox, but other teams will be interested in his services, including the Tigers, who made a strong push to sign him last winter. His former team, the Astros, should also be a suitor for him. 

No matter what Bregman decides, Breslow has plenty of work to do this offseason to get the Red Sox in a position to make the postseason for a second straight season.