The Boston Red Sox have a very difficult decision to make this offseason. After losing to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card round, the Red Sox will need to determine who returns to the club for the 2026 season.
While there are plenty of smaller decisions to make, the Red Sox will be tasked with the question of whether to bring back Alex Bregman or not. The 31-year-old third baseman is expected to opt out of his current deal and become a free agent.
In free agency, the Red Sox will have plenty of teams contending with Boston for Bregman this winter. However, according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Red Sox got some great news for their chances to retain the All-Star in free agency.
MLB insider reveals a Boston-Bregman reunion is a strong possibility
"The consensus around the league is that a Bregman-Boston reunion remains the most likely scenario," Feinsand writes, "though should the two part ways, that could open up the possibility of the Sox making a push for a free-agent power bat such as Pete Alonso or Kyle Schwarber."
There are a few noteworthy points from this quote, but the most important is that, around Major League Baseball, teams believe that Bregman returning to Boston is the most likely outcome this winter.
While it's not the expected outcome, which would've been even better news, this is still a very positive update. Bregman was a huge positive for the Red Sox, and losing him after just one season would sting.
Fortunately, this update reveals that the most likely outcome is that Bregman is back in Boston for the 2026 season, and likely beyond. The veteran third baseman is likely looking to ink a long-term deal, and the Red Sox, with a lot of money freed up thanks to trading away Rafael Devers, will have the opportunity to sign Bregman to such a deal.
He's expected to make at least $80 million guaranteed, and also fall below his current AAV (average annual value) on his new deal. Boston signed Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal that averaged $40 million per season.
But Bregman is expected to opt out of this deal and seek a larger, longer-term deal this offseason. With plenty of teams looking to add Bregman, who was a good defender at third base with an .821 OPS this season, it won't be easy.
Teams like the Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and the Toronto Blue Jays are all potential suitors this winter. It won't be easy to beat those clubs' offers, but this report from Feinsand points to most teams in baseball expecting Boston to retain Bregman this offseason.
After a disappointing end to 2025, if the Red Sox can get Bregman back for the next few years, with a healthy roster, they could be top contenders in the American League for the 2026 MLB season.
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