The Boston Red Sox finally made a meaningful move this offseason, trading for Willson Contreras to solve their first base issue and adding a right-handed slugger to their lineup. While it wasn’t the move most Sox fans wanted, it still allows them to focus on something else.
That something being retaining Alex Bregman. Fansided’s Rucker Haringey believes that the Sox could use the money they would have given a premier free agent, and use it to finally get Bregman back on a long-term deal.
“One of the benefits of Boston's move to acquire Contreras is that it opens up payroll for them to spend elsewhere. No one would be shocked to see the Red Sox use that cash to retain third baseman Alex Bregman. Some teams might balk at giving the 31-year-old the term he's looking for, but his representation is right to hold the line and ask for a lengthy deal. He's still a top-tier hitter who plays excellent defense at the hot corner. He may not possess the power to anchor the middle of an order but he can set the plate for power hitters behind him. Boston, or any other team, would be wise to limit the out years of Bregman's contract but he should give All-Star value over the next couple of seasons,” Haringey wrote.
This past season, Bregman slashed.273/.360/.462/.821 with 28 doubles, 18 home runs, and 62 RBI in 114 games. He also proved he has invaluable intangibles, becoming the leader of the team and rallying the roster around him.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniels projects that Bregman will receive a five-year, $170 million contract. If that’s the case, with the money the Sox saved by getting Contreras, they could definitely afford Bregman.
Hopefully, that’s their plan, and they announce a deal made with Bregman to give all Sox fans a chance to sigh in relief.
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