Alex Bregman has reached a substantial agreement with the Boston Red Sox for a three-year deal worth $120 million, according to insider information disclosed on Wednesday evening.
The agreement is contingent on Bregman’s successful completion of a physical examination, which is a standard procedure in such contracts.
Following this contract, Bregman holds the option to opt out after the 2026 and 2027 seasons, allowing him to re-enter free agency.
With the presence of Rafael Devers, an All-Star player, Bregman might find himself transitioning from third base to second base in the Red Sox lineup.
The 30-year-old Bregman has built a commendable career over nine years with the Houston Astros, earning honors as a two-time All-Star and securing two World Series championships.
Despite this success, he is coming off a season that was considered one of his lower offensive performances, where he finished with a batting average of .260, hitting 26 home runs and driving in 75 runs, all while concluding a five-year, $100 million deal.
Notably, he did achieve personal recognition by winning his first Gold Glove award this past season.
Bregman is known for his impressive postseason performance as well, having amassed 19 home runs, tying him for sixth place in major league history.
After being selected by Houston as the second overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft, he took the field as a major leaguer in 2016 and made his mark in 2017 with a strong debut performance that included a .284 average, 19 home runs, 71 runs batted in, and 17 stolen bases.
That year, he contributed significantly during the Astros’ championship run, recording four homers and 10 RBIs in the postseason, although the title was later overshadowed by an MLB investigation revealing that Houston had engaged in illicit sign-stealing practices using prohibited electronic methods.
Bregman was notably impactful during the World Series, having registered RBIs in his first five games and hitting crucial home runs against prominent pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen, the latter of which he faced multiple times during the series, including a game-winning single in the tenth inning during Game 5.
In terms of individual accolades, Bregman was recognized for his performances in 2018 and 2019, finishing fifth in AL MVP voting one year and second to Mike Trout the next.
His standout seasons saw him achieving a .286 average with 31 home runs, 103 RBIs, and a major league-leading 51 doubles in 2018, continuing his upward trajectory with career-high stats in 2019, including a .296 average, 41 homers, and 112 RBIs.
However, this past season saw a decline in his plate discipline, as he walked only 44 times, marking the highest chase rate he had recorded since 2017 at 23.6%.
Over his nine years in the league, Bregman has maintained a lifetime batting average of .272, with a total of 191 home runs and 663 RBIs.
Due to his decision to decline a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Astros, they are entitled to receive an additional draft pick at the conclusion of the fourth round in the upcoming amateur draft in July.
Furthermore, Houston had previously forfeited certain picks when they signed Christian Walker, and as a result of Bregman’s signing, Boston will lose its second-highest pick as well as $500,000 of its international signing bonus pool allocation.
