The Red Sox are entering a key stretch–yet again–of the schedule with about a month to go before the league’s trade deadline and still no clarity on what, exactly, this team is. Boston sits at 40-41 at the season’s midpoint, and while they’ve looked the part of an A.L. playoff team at times, they’ve also very often resembled the Bad News Bears, at the plate, in the field and on the basepaths.
But there have been signs that the Red Sox have a credible starting rotation, with everyone healthy and fulfilling their roles. There are worthwhile pieces in the bullpen, as long as some depth can be added. There are exciting young hitters, who simply have not hit yet.
A slugging first baseman and a reliable bullpen arm? That might be all this team needs for a late-summer playoff drive. Even on their current four-game slide, they’re 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot.
But one of the keys will be the return of Alex Bregman to the lineup. He was brought in to be the stabilizing force on the field and at the plate, but a hamstring injury has kept him out since May 23.
Alex Bregman on Trade Block?
There has been speculation, too, that the Red Sox could look to cash in on Bregman sooner rather than later, by trading him ahead of the deadline. He signed a three-year, $120 million contract before this season, but he has an opt-out after this season, which he is expected to exercise.
The Sox, then, could trade Bregman. Or, interestingly, they could sign him on a long-term deal, especially now that Rafael Devers is off the books.
Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, told the Boston Globe that Bregman is willing to stick in Boston, and would be willing to work out a new deal during the season.
“I always tell the team – and Alex directs me to tell them – we’re always open to any conversation,” Boras told the Globe. “Any player who plays well somewhere, it’s something that’s important for the team and important for the player. It’s an additive.”
Red Sox Hoping for Speedy Return
Boras has not, traditionally, done contracts midseason. But in recent years, he has been burned by turning down offers of new contracts or extensions only to find that the player had a much smaller market than expected. Pete Alonso of the Mets, who turned down seven years and $158 million and wound up with two years and $54 million, is the most recent example.
Thus, his willingness to listen on Bregman.
Bregman had been off to a good start in Boston, batting .299 with a .938 OPS before the injury. He has only played 51 games but still leads Red Sox position players with a 2.9 WAR. The Red Sox like his influence in the locker room, where he has been helping rookies like Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer adjust to the big leagues.
It’s hard to imagine the Red Sox will trade Bregman, unless the team craters completely. Taking the step to sign him to a new deal–Spotrac projects him at six years, $160 million–would be a major, though more likely, step.
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