By Shaun McAvoyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberThe Red Sox could lose one of their top players to free agency this offseason.
The Red Sox have already been active this offseason, trading with the St. Louis Cardinals for right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray. As the free agent market continues to develop, Boston will face heavy competition to sign All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.
Bregman joined the Red Sox after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Astros, and did not disappoint in his first season with the team. The 31-year-old slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs, being named an All-Star for the third time in his career, despite appearing in only 114 games this season after dealing with a right quad injury.
Bregman opted out of his three-year, $120 million contract with Boston to test free agency this offseason. MLB.com's Ian Browne highlighted why the 31-year-old may end up leaving after a short stint with the Red Sox.
..."What Bregman wants, heading into his age-32 season, is long-term security," Browne wrote Saturday. "Last season, the Sox offered the three-year contract with opt-outs after the first two years. If the club doesn’t change its stance, that will likely prevent Bregman from committing to Boston on a short-term deal with a high average annual value. Otherwise, why did he opt out in the first place?
"Bregman, who has only played for playoff teams during his career, would like to keep that streak going. So his priority will be to find a team that should be a sustainable winner (the Red Sox seem to fit that mold) while also being willing to offer him five years or more (unclear if Boston will do that). Why might the Red Sox face more competition for Bregman’s services than they did a year ago? It is simple. He no longer has a qualifying offer attached to him."
It's unlikely that Bregman will be able to land a deal that will match the $40 million annual value he would be receiving if he opted into the final two years of his contract with the Red Sox. In exchange for a lower annual value, the star third baseman could sign what will likely be the final long-term deal of his career.
Remaining with the Red Sox is not off the table, as Bregman enjoyed his time with the team, but it will all come down to how willing Boston is to commit to him long-term.
More MLB: Red Sox ‘Monitoring’ Bo Bichette Free Agency Situation: Report
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