With all due respect to Pete Alonso, the top remaining position player on the free-agent market this winter is Alex Bregman. A genuine two-way star with a World Series title and two All-Star selections, Bregman should be in high demand.
However, despite his solid track record, he’s spent the entire offseason waiting for his market to take shape. No team has shown much interest in his reported $200 million asking price, even with the limited infield options available.
The situation has become so dire that Bregman seems to be reconsidering his approach. He and his agent, Scott Boras, now seem to accept that a huge contract isn’t likely this winter. Reports indicate that Bregman is now open to a short-term deal with a higher annual salary, and the Chicago Cubs are among the teams reportedly interested.
Notably absent from that list, at least publicly, are the Boston Red Sox. Although Boston has long been linked to Bregman—who would be a great fit at Fenway Park—the Red Sox’s lack of interest could, in this case, be a positive sign for the future of the franchise, despite fan frustration with general manager Craig Breslow’s perceived inactivity.
Alex Bregman pivot seemingly closes the door on potential Triston Casas trade
The main obstacle in any potential Bregman-to-Boston trade is similar to what came up in talks surrounding Nolan Arenado: The Red Sox already have a third baseman in Rafael Devers. While Devers could move to first base, Boston already has a player there as well. Despite numerous mock trade scenarios involving Triston Casas, the Red Sox don’t seem interested.
And really, why would they be? While Bregman is a better player overall, and Boston’s lineup could benefit from more right-handed hitters, Casas, at just 25 years old and under team control for the next four years, offers much more long-term flexibility.
It makes more sense to build around him rather than commit a significant amount of money to Bregman. Casas, though not as defensively gifted, has hit well when healthy in his early career, and there’s still potential for improvement after a limited 2024 season with just 63 games played due to injury.
Casas is a three-true-outcomes player, drawing walks and making solid contact when he connects. There’s no reason he can’t become a middle-of-the-order force for years, with his cost-effectiveness allowing the Red Sox to address other roster needs.
Teams should be cautious about trading away cost-controlled years of promising young talent, especially teams like the Red Sox, who are aiming to contend. If Bregman doesn’t fit into that vision, then it’s not worth pursuing.
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