The Boston Red Sox may not have signed any outside free agents this winter, but they've made a couple of trades with the St. Louis Cardinals and old friend Chaim Bloom, and have one free agent they're courting.
That player is, unsurprisingly, Alex Bregman. But this has been a very slow winter for the top free agents, Bregman included. There's an offer on the table from the Red Sox, and time will tell if Bregman is coming back or not.
Tim Healey of The Boston Globe shared Alex Cora's comments on the Bregman free agent process. Cora shared a six-word message that now puts the onus on Bregman to make a decision.
Red Sox manager puts onus on Bregman in free agency
"The ball is in his court," Cora said of Bregman. The free agent third baseman likely has a few offers on the table, but as of now, the Red Sox are waiting for his decision.
Bregman is still a free agent, and while there are some clubs likely interested in him, his return to the Red Sox seems to be the most likely outcome.
With the Philadelphia Phillies emerging as serious contenders for Bo Bichette, Ketel Marte being taken off the trade block, Kyle Tucker continuing to be strongly linked to the Toronto Blue Jays, and Cody Bellinger and the New York Yankees in discussions, Bregman coming back to Boston has a strong chance of happening.
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But, as Cora mentions, it's now on Bregman to decide what he wants to do this offseason. He could accept the Red Sox's deal, return to Boston, or try looking for more money elsewhere.
While the All-Star third baseman is one of the more coveted names this offseason, a lot of the potential options have dissipated due to other signings or trends in recent weeks.
For now, Cora and the rest of the Red Sox organization will have to wait for Bregman's decision. They don't need to bump up their offer, which, as Cora put it, puts the ball in Bremgan's court this offseason.
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