Which seems like something you figure out before giving a guy $120 million.
Is it just me or is the Alex Bregman signing one of the weirdest free agent deals in recent Red Sox history? Ultimately, I believe he is a very good baseball player who will help the Red Sox win baseball games. But, back at the beginning of this offseason, if you had asked me to list free agents the Red Sox should consider signing, I’m not sure he would’ve even made it into my top 10, and I certainly wouldn’t have suggested he be the only major free agent they sign. The roster fit is just so awkward, as evidenced by the fact that, even as they introduced him to the media yesterday, the Sox front office admitted that they still aren’t sure where he’s going to play. That seems like something they already should’ve figured out before giving him $120 million! (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
Moreover, it definitely sounds like there’s some awkwardness vis a vis incumbent third baseman Rafael Devers that still needs to be worked out. (Steve Buckley, The Athletic)
And it’s not like the Red Sox made the decision to sign Bregman lightly. As this behind-the-scenes piece details, there was an extensive process behind the signing, including key roles played by Dustin Pedroia and Theo Epstein. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
But, regardless of where he ends up on the diamond, Bregman seems plenty motivated to do well. That’s what a contract structure filled with opt-outs will to do a guy, of course, but he also just seems like a highly motivated ballplayer in general — he wears number two in order to remind himself that he wasn’t the first overall pick in the MLB draft. (Julian McWilliams, Boston Globe)
And Sox fans will love this: Bregman’s family includes a close personal connection with none other than Ted Williams. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Maybe Bregman will surprise us all by revealing that he’s secretly been training to be a big league catcher all these years and he plans on donning the shin guards in 2025. That would be nice since catcher, unlike third base, is a position where the Red Sox really could use an upgrade. As it is, we’ll be seeing some competition in the spring between some new faces (er, face masks) behind the plate. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)