The Boston Red Sox made a big splash this offseason by signing third baseman Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million contract. The deal, which contains opt-outs after the end of each of the first two seasons, represents one of the biggest signings of the year. This signing represents Boston’s bid to get back to competing for playoff spots after missing out on the postseason for three consecutive years.
Bregman, a two-time All-Star and former World Series champion, is leaving behind a legacy in Houston. Bregman’s right fielding was key to the Astros’ dominance for the past decade. The decision to sign with the Red Sox instead of the Astros, Tigers, or Cubs marks a whole new era for him and perhaps a rework of Boston’s infield strategy in the prospective years.
Bregman’s Departure from Houston: End of an Era
After being selected No. 2 overall in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros, Bregman instantaneously became one of the faces of the franchise. Bregman’s bat and reliable glove helped Houston deep into postseason runs, winning the World Series in both 2017 and 2022.
Bregman’s departure is the latest in a string of stars leaving the Astros as free agents. While Carlos Correa, George Springer, and Dallas Keuchel all left Houston for bigger contracts, José Altuve is the lone survivor from the Astros’ 2017-22 championship window still playing his entire career in Houston.
The Astros reportedly tried to keep Bregman and even inappropriately offered him a six-year, $156 million contract. The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers also pursued him aggressively with very attractive offers, with Detroit reportedly making a six-year, $171.5-million proposal. Bregman chose Boston’s three-year offer for its high average Annual value ($40 million annually) and for flexibility given the opt-out provisions.
Evaluating Bregman’s Recent Performance
At the age of 31, Bregman was still good enough to be a top-tier third baseman, but his offensive game had been on the decline in recent years. For example, he finished 2024 with a batting average of just .260, an on-base percentage of .315, and a slugging percentage of .453. He hit 26 home runs, the most since 2019 when he had the best season of his career with 41 home runs; however, his On Base Percentage (OBP) in 2024 was the lowest of his career, having last hit below.300 in 2016.
One of the troubling trends in Bregman’s game has been his declining walk rate. Once a top-notch plate-disciplined hitter, it dipped down to 6.9% in 2024, significantly lower than his career average of 11.9%. This indicates that he has become more aggressive, which might affect his getting on base regularly.
Yet, that being said, Bregman still stands as the most stable third basemen in baseball right now. He ranks sixth in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) for third basemen since 2020, after Rafael Devers, and only behind the very best hot-corner players in baseball. He is a treasured asset for any team given his hitting, elite defensive skills, and leadership on the field.
How Bregman Fits into the Red Sox Lineup
With Alex Bregman signing, some reservations are about the Boston team’s infield configuration with then-current third baseman Rafael Devers on the roster. Bregman would be ostensibly moved to second base, where he has few major-league-level days of exposure. But Devers and Bregman would be in the field, maximizing team offense.
One reason Bregman came to the Red Sox was Fenway’s hitter-friendly dimensions.
Red Sox’s Offseason Approach
Alex Bregman signing is a culmination of aggressive Red Sox front office turn-arounds during this offseason. This new generation of Boston hasn’t been that solid, going 81-81 in 2024 with their third consecutive missed playoffs. In retaliation for their confounding average seasons, the team has revamped its roster, making some bold moves.
Among other pitching help, Walker Buehler and Garrett Crochet, whom the Red Sox acquired in trade, were signed early in the offseason to give Boston a much-needed boost in rotation depth.
What Lies Ahead for The Red Sox and Bregman?
Everyone is watching as Spring Training approaches to see how this transition works for Bregman with his new team and new potential position change. Should he move to the second base position, the Red Sox will have to assess him defensively.
Conclusion
The signing of Alex Bregman by the Red Sox is a statement signing, a reflection of their impatience to be back in playoff contention. By some accounts, irregularity in walk rates and potential power hijacking are concerns, but on the whole, his resume, defensive pedigree, and leadership character make him a huge plus for any team.
