Why Red Sox missing out on Alex Bregman might be blessing in disguise

Matt Sullivan

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Why Red Sox missing out on Alex Bregman might be blessing in disguise image

The Boston Red Sox were dealt some brutal news on Saturday night, as the Chicago Cubs swooped in and stole free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.

He signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs, ditching the Red Sox for the Cubs. Boston will need to pivot to some other options this winter, and while there are a couple of decent choices, seeing Bregman leave is still a difficult situation to come to terms with.

Losing Bregman to the Cubs is a brutal situation for the Red Sox, but for Keith Law of The Athletic, it might actually not be the worst outcome. Law's opinion points to Bregman signing with the Cubs actually being a blessing in disguise for the Red Sox.

Red Sox might've gotten blessing in disguise losing Bregman to Cubs

"The obvious answer for Boston would be to sign Bo Bichette... I'd rather have Bichette than Bregman anyway," Law writes, "and he's at least capable of backing up Trevor Story at short."

After losing Bregman to the Cubs, the Red Sox need to find an alternative to their infield hole. Fortunately, due to Marcelo Mayer being able to move to either second or third base, the Red Sox have some flexibility.

And for Law, signing Bichette, who's younger, and coming off a strong 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, would be the better option anyway.

The Red Sox have some options to replace Bregman, and Bichette would be a clear answer for Boston this winter.

More: Red Sox get brutal decision from Alex Bregman amid $175 million Cubs deal

Bregman's $175 million deal is far from cheap, even when factoring in the $70 million in deferrals the Cubs put into the contract.

Boston will likely pivot to new options for their infield addition this winter, and while losing Bregman stings, it might not be all that bad.

Law would prefer Bichette to Bregman anyway, and with the age difference (Bregman is 32 and Bichette is 28), it's not a far-fetched belief from Law.

The Red Sox might've received a blessing in disguise, seeing Bregman sign with the Cubs. Now, they can go after Bichette, who's a younger and arguably better fit for the Red Sox than Bregman would've been.

They still need to sign Bichette or another top infield option this winter. But if they can bring Bichette to Boston, then losing Bregman wouldn't be the horrible free-agent outcome it seems like.

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Staff Writer