News of Alex Bregman’s reported opt-out has begun to spread like wildfire. The Red Sox won a bidding war to land the slugging third baseman by signing him to a three-year, $120 million contract last offseason.
The deal, however, included an opt-out clause after the first season. Bregman will apparently exercise that clause, leaving the Red Sox with a significant gap at third base. If and when Bregman does opt out, the 32-year-old will hit free agency, and one club will be in hot pursuit: The Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers were one of the leading contenders to sign Bregman last offseason. According to some sources, it had come down to the Red Sox and Tigers to land the former Houston Astro. But it was Boston that won the bidding war.
Now, according to the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers could circle back to Bregman. The Tigers would seem to have an inside track on Bregman, though it remains to be seen if the Tigers would be willing to up the ante this offseason.
The Free Press indicated that the Tigers had put a six-year, $171.5 million deal on the table last offseason. Yet, Bregman passed and took the short-term deal in Boston. The deal didn’t sit very well as it forced the Red Sox to jettison Rafael Devers to make room for Bregman.
Bregman Was Close to Becoming a Tiger
Once Alex Bregman signed with Boston, speculation ramped up regarding a potential diss on the part of the third baseman on Detroit.
Back in May, the Free Press quoted Bregman regarding his potential coming to Detroit:
“I think it was really close, but I made my decision to come here (Boston). It was not a diss of Detroit.”
Perhaps the still-Red Sox infielder left the door slightly open for a potential hookup between him and the Tigers. If that’s the case, Detroit has the perfect opportunity to make its pitch now.
The former World Series champ hit .273 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs in 114 games this season. He missed some time due to a quad injury. But he still played well enough to earn an All-Star nod this season.
Would Tigers Consider a Long-Term Deal Again?
The purported six-year deal was on the table last winter. This time around, it’s unclear whether the Tigers may be willing to give Bregman another long-term offer.
Assuming the same six-year deal is back on the table, such a contract would take Bregman to his age-38 season. That might be a bit of a stretch for Detroit, considering that for All-Star third baseman may not play that long.
Of course, the Tigers are in win-now mode. They fell short in the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners and could have used another bad like Bregman’s in their lineup. Could he be the piece that gets the Tigers over the top next season?
It’s certainly a possibility Tigers management would consider. But until Bregman officially opts out, this conversation is nary speculation.
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