The Red Sox made their long-awaited free agent splash
Who is he and where does he come from?
He’s two-time all-star, two-time World Series champion, and Gold Glove award-winning Alex Bregman. He was born and raised in New Mexico, played college ball at LSU, and spent the first ten years of his professional career in the Houston Astros organization.
What did he cost?
Bregman signed a three-year deal with the Red Sox for $120 million. The deal includes multiple opt-outs and deferred money. I, for one, have never said a bad word about John Henry and his willingness to spend.
What position does he play?
He’s played 90% of his games at third base and won the 2024 Gold Glove at the position. Rafael Devers is the resident third baseman, but he’s not exactly a polished defender. There’s been some scuttlebutt about Bregman potentially moving to second base, but I’d expect Bregman to be the primary third baseman and some other shuffling to occur. Alex Cora loves making weird substitutions, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see Bregman at second at times as well.
Update: I’m wrong
The expectation is Alex Bregman will play second base for Boston, sources tell ESPN. Even though the Red Sox have top prospect Kristian Campbell coming, they saw Bregman having enough of an impact that they offered $40 million a year — with deferrals — to make the deal happen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 13, 2025
Is he any good?
Yes. People will tell you that Bregman fell off a cliff and isn’t worth the money. Maybe it’s my late-night excitement and newfound optimism for the 2025 season, but I think those people are wrong. Bregman was a 4-WAR player in 2024. Despite a decline in OPS, he was still an above-average hitter. He hit 26 home runs and drove in 75 runs.
He also has an excellent command of the strike zone. In 2024, he was in the 98th percentile in whiff rate (12.8%), and 94th percentile in strikeout rate (13.6%). While he may lose some bat speed as he ages, his control of the plate should remain an asset and help him age. He also has an affinity for Fenway Park, where he’s slashed .375/.490/.750 in his career.
Show me a cool highlight.
How about a heavily edited video of Alex Bregman’s fielding highlights? His bat is great, but his glove might be even more important for the 2025 Red Sox.
Tell me a fun fact.
Bregman has always been intertwined with the Red Sox in one way or another. He’s a big fan of Dustin Pedroia. He’s close friends with Blake Swihart. He was a finalist for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, but ultimately lost out to Andrew Benintendi. He was even drafted by the Red Sox out of high school but opted to attend college. He’s always been loosely attached to Boston, but now he’ll be calling Fenway Park home.
What’s his role on the 2025 Red Sox?
It appears as though Bregman will enter the season as the starting second baseman. I’m sure he’ll get time at third as well, but it seems like second base is the plan for now. He’ll be a right-handed hitter in the middle of the order. He’ll also be a veteran in the clubhouse and probably assume a leadership role.