Red Sox 2025 Season

[Vermont Green]

I am not sure there is a thread started for the current off season.

Here is the news of today:

New York Post's Jon Heyman might have provided the most significant insight on Bregman yet.

"Bregman is an interesting one," Heyman said on Hot Stove. "I do believe it's gonna work out great for him because right now I'm hearing there are five teams in it. I'm not sure exactly who the five teams are, but most likely, probably is the Red Sox. I understand he likely would have to play second base and he'd be willing to do it. " I think he fits them. They have not made a big signing at this point. " To me, I think they're the most likely at this moment to sign Alex Bregman."

I definitely feel that getting Bregman on a short'ish contract and having him play 2B is ideal.  Vaughn Grissom and David Hamilton are the options for 2B right now (we were 15th in AL OPS at 2B last season).  Bregman would be a significant upgrade.  That would round out the positional line up pretty well.  We were 3rd in the AL last season for OPS and runs.  Scoring runs/hitting was not the issue.  If we add Bregman and have Casas for a whole season, we should be even better.  Maybe Trevor Story even has a decent season. 

LF  Duran
SS  Story
3B  Devers
2B  Bregman
1B  Casas
RF  Abreu
C   Wong
DH  Yoshida
CF  Rafaela

Maybe we get someone to platoon at DH or use Bregman as the DH and Grissom at 2nd to get another RH bat in the line up.  It may be optimistic to project Story as a top of the line up hitter, but it is the off season, why not be optimistic.

Story had 16 HRs in 96 games his first season in BOS.  Is it too much to expect maybe 20-25 HRs, 0.265 (his career average) and plus defense at SS in say 135 games?  If we get something close to that, it would really put the line up at a high level.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Perhaps I'm putting emotion above reason, but I don't want to have to root for Bregman. He might help the team a lot, but I just loathe the thought of having to cheer for that guy.

[Vermont Green]

Perhaps I'm putting emotion above reason, but I don't want to have to root for Bregman. He might help the team a lot, but I just loathe the thought of having to cheer for that guy.

Why, because of the cheating scandal?  Cora was in on that too.  Or are there other issues with Bregman?

[Phantom255x]

Perhaps I'm putting emotion above reason, but I don't want to have to root for Bregman. He might help the team a lot, but I just loathe the thought of having to cheer for that guy.

Also the guy is in decline and age 31 now. Idk what the obsession is with getting him especially if it's like 6+ years and 150M+. Why??

[Vermont Green]

Perhaps I'm putting emotion above reason, but I don't want to have to root for Bregman. He might help the team a lot, but I just loathe the thought of having to cheer for that guy.

Also the guy is in decline and age 31 now. Idk what the obsession is with getting him especially if it's like 6+ years and 150M+. Why??

The reports were that after all this, he is considering a shorter term deal.  If that is the case, then it makes sense for the Red Sox.  If it is not the case, and it has to be a 5 or 6 year deal, then no, I don't expect or want the Sox to sign him.

He turned down a sizeable offer from HOU (reportedly):

The Astros were reported to have offered Bregman a substantial contract to stay in Houston. It was reported that the Astros offered Bregman 6 years and $156 million to stick around through the end of his age 36 season. Bregman turned the offer down, with at least one reason being that he thought he could get more than 6 years elsewhere on the free agent market.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Perhaps I'm putting emotion above reason, but I don't want to have to root for Bregman. He might help the team a lot, but I just loathe the thought of having to cheer for that guy.

Why, because of the cheating scandal?  Cora was in on that too.  Or are there other issues with Bregman?

The cheating, and I just don't like the vibe I get from him. The latter could just be completely related to him being an Astro, and I despise the Astros. Maybe that's just my issue I need to deal with.

As for Cora, I didn't want him brought back, mainly because of the cheating. And his game- and lineup-related decision-making hasn't done anything to win me over.

[Goldstar88]

Free agent Alex Bregman has a new home, agreeing to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night, sources told ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

The $40 million salary is $10 million-plus more per year than others were offering, sources said. The deal includes two opt outs.

Bregman was the biggest free agent remaining on the market and now lands with a Boston team that adds a big bat to go with a retooled pitching staff that acquired Garrett Crochet via trade and signed Walker Buehler via free agency.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora wanted Bregman badly, having previously coached him with the Houston Astros

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

ESPN says there are two opt-outs ? I?m curious about those. Bregman?s good but I?ve never liked him, seeing as he was an Astro. Oh well, guess I?ve gotta root for him now. 

[Roy H.]

Tied for the sixth highest per season contract in MLB.  Bad teams have to overpay I guess.  At least they're spending.

[SparzWizard]

ESPN says there are two opt-outs ? I?m curious about those. Bregman?s good but I?ve never liked him, seeing as he was an Astro. Oh well, guess I?ve gotta root for him now. 

Welp here comes the never-ending phrase "cheating" and "Boston" put in a sentence together more frequently from the media

[Vermont Green]

Tied for the sixth highest per season contract in MLB.  Bad teams have to overpay I guess.  At least they're spending.

It is an over pay, yes, but it is only 3 years, maybe less. And he should be s trade asset.  I am OK with this. He should be one of the better 2B in the AL.  It fills two gaps. Right handed power and 2B. 

The team should be much improved overall. 

[Redz]

Love the signing.  Not sure how that affects their ?call the young studs up in May? plan, but we?ll see.  If they can ever get a full season out of Story he and Bregman will be a fun combo. 

[Vermont Green]

Love the signing.  Not sure how that affects their ?call the young studs up in May? plan, but we?ll see.  If they can ever get a full season out of Story he and Bregman will be a fun combo.

This is where I am at.  You can start the season with a reliable veteran at 2B.  Hopefully he rakes in Fenway and plays solid defense, as you would expect based on his career.  If by say next season, one of the young players wins 2B, you can trade Bregman, move him to DH, whatever.  I think that unless he falls off a cliff, Bregman should hold reasonable trade value if it comes to that.  Plus he has the versatility to play at least 3 positions (2B, 3B, DH).  There will be options.  This is all part of why he is a good fit.

[Donoghus]

Can't stand the guy but I'll grin & bear it now that he's on the Sox.

[Silas]

The deferred money in the contract knocks the net present value of Bregman's three-year deal into the $90MM range, ESPN's Buster Olney reports.

$30k/year much easier on the heart than $40k