Insider Reveals Turning Point For Boston Red Sox in Negotiations with Alex Bregman

The Red Sox agreed to a three-year deal with Bregman last week, and apparently the opt-outs were the thing that got it over the goal line.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) runs to first base on a single during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park in 2024. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Boston Red Sox finished off an excellent offseason of shopping last week by signing Alex Bregman to a three-year deal worth $120 million.

Bregman joins Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman as offseason acquisitions for the Sox, who are hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. They haven't won a World Series since the 2018 season.

Bregman was linked to the Red Sox throughout the offseason, but the team didn't get the deal across the goal line until right as spring training began, so what was the hold up?

According to Red Sox Insider Rob Bradford of WEEI, the opt-outs were the thing that got the deal done. Bregman can opt-out after year one or year two and re-enter the marketplace.

Per sources, the turning point for the Red Sox when it came to securing Alex Bregman was when they finally agreed to the opt-outs early last week

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) February 16, 2025

Bregman has spent the entirety of his nine-year career with the Astros. Lifetime, he's a .272 hitter with a .366 on-base percentage. He hit 26 homers and drove in 75 runs last year while playing in 145 games. He is a two-time World Series champion (2017, 2022) and a two-time All-Star. He's also won a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger. He'll help lengthen the Red Sox lineup and will give Boston one of the deepest lineups in the American League.

Speaking to the media this weekend, manager Alex Cora was non-committal on where Bregman will play defensively. There's been a thought that he'll play second base with Rafael Devers staying at third, but Cora said Bregman will work in both spots this spring.

Related MLB Stories

CRAWFORD ON THE MEND: Kutter Crawford, who made 33 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season, is dealing with a knee issue at the outset of camp. CLICK HERE:

"I'M A STARTER:" New York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman reported to camp and took a defiant stance on his position on the roster. CLICK HERE:

JD to TB? According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, longtime slugger JD Martinez "makes sense" for the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason. CLICK HERE:

Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media

Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.