In all, the Red Sox got just about what they could have expected from third baseman Alex Bregman, with perhaps the lone exception being full health. Bregman’s quad injury this spring cost him more than a month, and he wound up playing 114 games in 2025. That was the fewest games he’d played since he suffered a similar injury back in 2021.
But the rest was just what the team hoped for when he was given a three-year, $120 million contract that was always virtually assured to be a one-year deal–there were opt-outs after each season, and the expectation was that as long as Bregman did not fall off with the bat, he would back in free agency this winter.
He did not fall off with the bat. Bregman, in fact, batter .273 with 18 homers, 62 RBIs and a .821 OPS, his best since 2019. He also played Gold Glove-caliber defense. And in the clubhouse, he was a valued presence as the Red Sox brought in a wave of young and inexperienced new players into the fold.
With the Red Sox licking their wounds as they recover from the wild-card loss to the Yankees this week, the question of what will happen with Bregman is looming large.
Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet Is a Fan
There are rumblings that the Red Sox might not be willing to go to the mat to keep Bregman. He is 31 years old and for a team that is packed with youth, Boston might not want to commit long-term to Bregman. Other teams that need a third baseman–the Yankees and Tigers, perhaps–would likely be willing to give longer deals.
But it would not go over well in the locker room if the Red Sox did not keep Bregman in place.
“Obviously, he was a big boost to the team this year,” pitcher Garrett Crochet told reporters after the game. “I think everyone has nothing but positive things to say about him as a teammate. [The contract stuff is] out of my control regardless. Where he ends up, I hope it’s with us. But that’s a guy I’ll root on for the rest of his career.”
Trevor Story: Alex Bregman a ‘Special Player and a Special Mind’
Trevor Story, who could opt out of three years and the final $75 million of his contract (much smaller chance on that, however), would like to see Bregman back, too.
“You saw the impact he had on this organization on the field and off the field, leadership-wise,” Story said. “All of it. He’s a special player and a special mind. Obviously, very sought-after. He helped us get to where we are today and hopefully, we can help him for a long time.
“It’s huge. A guy who has been in the postseason nine years in a row. It’s important to have experienced guys, especially in the postseason, and he’s obviously a huge part of this team. I think he’s a huge priority.”
Red Sox Have Money After Dumping Devers Contract
It wouldn’t sit well, either, with a Red Sox fan base that saw the team deal away slugger Rafael Devers in June, saving $250 million in future payroll, without replacing that expenditure with a guy who is obviously a good fit at a difficult position to fill.
As for Bregman, he did not say much on the topic after the loss to New York.
“Not even thinking about that at all right now. Thinking about the game that just happened,” he said. ” I’m gonna think about this game and the guys in the room and start my offseason. Get after it and become a better baseball player.”
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