Multiple MLB insiders give Red Sox edge over Yankees, Astros in Alex Bregman sweepstakes
Bregman, the Astros' long-time third baseman, is arguably the top free-agent hitter left.
The latest on Red Sox’ reported pursuit of Alex Bregman: Craig Breslow wants the Red Sox to add another right-handed hitter this offseason. Well, it appears they’re positioning themselves in a good spot to get the top right-handed hitter in free agency, at least in comparison to their top rival.
The Red Sox are viewed as a stronger fit to land Bregman than the Yankees at this point, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.
“If you look at the landscape of potential fits for Bregman — Boston, yes, is a fit at second base or third, depending on how the infield is arranged,” Morosi said on MLB Network. “I’m getting the sense that the Red Sox are more of a possibility than the New York Yankees at the moment.”
Additionally, The Athletic’s and Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal said that he finds it more likely that Bregman leaves than remains in Houston, listing Boston as one of the few teams most likely to sign him on “Foul Territory.”
Boston has been among the group of teams most frequently linked to Bregman since free agency began. Some of the other top contenders to sign Bregman have made other moves that might make it less imperative to add the two-time All-Star. The Astros, who Bregman has been with his entire professional career, added All-Star corner infielder Isaac Paredes in a trade with the Cubs. The Yankees have made a few moves involving big-money players since losing Juan Soto, adding starting pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, still haven’t added an impact hitter this offseason. They also have roughly $50 million to spend before they reach the first luxury tax threshold, per Red Sox payroll on X, and could be flexible with where they play Bregman. The long-time third baseman’s agent, Scott Boras, said that his client is open to playing second base for whichever team he signs with.
Boston has insisted Rafael Devers will remain at third base this offseason, but second base has been a bit of a revolving door over the last few years. Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was a bench coach for the Astros for a season during Bregman’s tenure in Houston, told reporters last week that he thought Bregman could play second base while he effusively praised him.
If the Red Sox are seriously pursuing Bregman, it could come with a hefty cost. Bregman’s contract could be in the $200 million range and he isn’t expected to make a decision until after Christmas, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan reported. Bregman has already turned down a contract from the Astros in the $150 million range, according to Rosenthal.
As for the timing of Bregman’s decision, Boras has shown a willingness to be patient with some of his top clients in the past. Just last offseason, four of Boras’s top clients didn’t sign a deal until after spring training began.
The time and money could be worth it for the Red Sox, though. Statistically, there might not be a hitter who has performed better at Fenway Park than Bregman. He’s hit .375 with a 1.240 OPS, seven home runs, and 15 RBIs in 21 career regular-season games in Boston. His 1.240 OPS is the highest among any hitter to record at least 95 plate appearances at Fenway.
Trivia: Which two hitters have hit the most home runs as a visitor in Fenway Park’s history?
(Hint: One had a previous stint with the Red Sox and the other was a Hall of Famer of a divisional rival).
Schedule and results:
The Celtics resumed their post-NBA Cup schedule on Thursday with a loss, falling to the Bulls 117-108. Boston will take on Chicago again on Saturday, but in the Windy City. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 8 p.m.
The Bruins were also dealt a loss on Thursday. They fell to the Oilers, 3-2, in overtime with Connor McDavid scoring the game-tying goal in the final minutes of regulation. The Bruins return home from their five-game road swing on Saturday, when they host the Sabres at 7 p.m.
Finally, the Patriots close out the weekend when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills at 4:25 p.m. on Sunday.
Read more from Boston.com:
- Joe Mazzulla, Celtics stars pick up technicals late in contentious loss to Bulls: 7 takeaways
- ‘It’s been a tough week’: What Jaylen Brown said about the break-in at his mother’s Wellesley home
- What experts are predicting for Sunday’s Patriots-Bills game
- Why Adam Schefter thinks Patriots replacing Jerod Mayo with Mike Vrabel is ‘moot point’
- The Bruins’ defense is righting the ship — save for one critical area
- Aroldis Chapman says Red Sox did their ‘due diligence’ before signing him
- What Alex Van Pelt said of apparent criticism from Jerod Mayo, Jonathan Kraft
- Patriots place Christian Barmore on non-football illness list due to ‘recurring symptoms’
It wasn’t a festive night in the NBA
There were a few ejections over the 13-game NBA slate on Thursday. In the Jazz-Pistons matchup, Utah guard Jordan Clarkson and Detroit guard Ron Holland were ejected after they raised hands ready to fight during a scuffle.
In the Nets-Raptors game, Brooklyn center Nic Claxton was ejected after he tossed a basketball into the stands out of frustration.
Daily highlight
In Thursday’s game against the Broncos, the Chargers got the opportunity for one of the rarest plays in football: a free-kick field goal. After the Broncos were called for a fair catch interference with no time remaining in the first half, the Chargers were granted an untimed down from their opponent’s 47-yard line. Because of the penalty, the Chargers were allowed to kick a free kick for a field goal.
They did that, and Cameron Dicker executed. The Chargers kicker’s 57-yard kick sailed through the uprights, cutting the Broncos’ lead to 21-13 at halftime.
On this day
Forty-four years ago Friday, the Red Sox made one of the biggest front-office blunders in Boston sports history. Red Sox general manager Haywood Sullivan didn’t mail Carlton Fisk and Fred Lynn a new contract offer, which was contractually mandated to be sent out by Dec. 20. Sullivan sent the offers on Dec. 22.
Lynn wound up being traded to the Angels in January. An arbiter ruled several weeks later in February that Fisk could seek employment with another team. Fisk signed a five-year deal with the White Sox in March.
Bosto.com detailed the whole saga in 2021.
(Trivia answer: Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle; 38 home runs each)
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