Alex Bregman to test free agent market

Since their elimination at the hands of the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round, the biggest question facing the Boston Red Sox has been Alex Bregman's future with the organization.

But barring a major change, it doesn't seem like that's an issue anymore. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Bregman will exercise the opt-out provision of his $120 million contract and head to the free agent market.

Alex Bregman will opt out of his current contract with the Red Sox, sources say, and after his good first year in Boston, there could be one or two more suitors, potentially including at least one surprise team, although Boston still seems a logical destination.

The Red Sox still have the $250+ million saved from the Rafael Devers deal and loved the veteran's leadership, so we can expect a return to Massachusetts to be in the cards.

https://twitter.com/mlbtraderumors/status/1978259172882862158

But Heyman also mentions other suitors, including a surprise team. The Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, the two teams still alive in the American League, as well as the Detroit Tigers, should be among them.

Bregman was offered $171.5 million over six years by the Tigers last off-season, which would have reunited him with A.J. Hinch, his former manager in Houston. Instead, Bregman opted for a three-year contract with the Low Reds that included several exit options.

The 31-year-old posted a .273 batting average with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in his first and only season in Boston in 2025. The latter earned his first All-Star Game nomination since 2019, boasting an OPS of .821.

Bregman's current market value is expected to be just over $100 million spread over four seasons. He left $80 million on the table by walking away from the last two years of his contract.

Who will take the gamble?

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