The Boston Red Sox could dictate two of the biggest remaining free agent decisions.
Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette are connected in that way, with a through line featuring the Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays.
They're clearly the two best free agent infielders remaining, and Boston is involved in the pursuit of both.
Here's how MLB.com's Mark Feinsand explained it in a new article out Thursday night:
"The Red Sox, who have Trevor Story at shortstop, are believed to be interested in Bichette, though it may come down to whether Boston prefers him to Bregman. Marcelo Mayer can slot in at second or third, making either player a fit for the lineup. Bichette’s future may be tied directly to what happens with Bregman, as the Blue Jays and Red Sox are in on both players. Toronto – the only club that won’t have to give up Draft picks to sign Bichette – could bring him back for second base, where he played during the World Series, shifting Andrés Giménez to shortstop."
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It'd be fascinating if these teams ended up just swapping star infielders.
They could also end up each retaining their own guy.
The real bummer for one side will be if one of the Red Sox or Blue Jays gets the guy they want, but then the other one departs outside the AL East. That could shift the balance of power in the division in a big way.
For now, baseball waits to see what Bregman and Bichette do.
The Red Sox may be the fulcrum that decides what both guys end up choosing.
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