Alex Bregman $40 million prediction would be bad news for Tigers

Matt Sullivan

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Alex Bregman $40 million prediction would be bad news for Tigers image

The Detroit Tigers are one of a few teams keeping close tabs on free agent third baseman Alex Bregman. While he's not the most notable ex-Houston Astros free agent this winter, he fits what the Tigers are looking for and is someone the club has shown interest in.

But the Tigers aren't the only team interested in Bregman. The Boston Red Sox, who signed him to a $120 million deal a year ago - before his opt-out heading into this winter - are once again interested in Bregman.

MLB insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicted Bregman's final destination this winter, and it would be bad news for the Tigers. Not just because they'd miss out on Bregman, but how they miss on the All-Star third baseman.

MLB insiders' Alex Bregman prediction would be tough outcome for Tigers

"Now," Nightengale writes, "one year later, the Red Sox and Tigers are still interested, with the Cubs saying they're perfectly comfortable with rookie third baseman Matt Shaw."

The Tigers are interested, and yet, Nightengale predicts that, "Bregman returns to Boston, but won't get anywhere near the $40 million annual salary he left behind."

Bregman is predicted to wind up with the Red Sox, and on a deal much smaller than the $40 million contract he opted out of for the 2026 season.

If the Tigers want to bring in Bregman, a smaller deal would be ideal. Nightengale's prediction indicates such a contract would be the one Bregman signs, and yet, the Tigers a predicted to miss out on the three-time All-Star.

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After the Tigers' interest in Bregman from the 2025 offseason, their interest this winter is hardly a surprise. But Nightengale predicts the Red Sox beat out the Tigers for Bregman and also get him on a discount.

This isn't the be-all-end-all for the Tigers, but the prediction does highlight a tough scenario in which the Tigers not only miss out on Bregman but also miss out on a discounted price on top of it.

The 31-year-old third baseman is a top free agent target of the Tigers, and would be a nice upgrade to the Tigers' infield for the 2026 season and beyond. This prediction would be a massively disappointing outcome for the Tigers, as they would lose out on Bregman for the second consecutive offseason to the Red Sox.

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Editorial Team