FORT MYERS, Fla. — On Saturday, the Boston Red Sox officially sealed a three-year contract worth $120 million with player Alex Bregman.
Bregman will receive a signing bonus of $5 million, starting with a salary of $35 million this upcoming season, and $40 million in the subsequent two years, with portions of the contract being deferred. He has the option to opt out after the 2025 and 2026 seasons, allowing him to become a free agent once again.
The versatile Bregman is expected to transition from his usual position at third base to play second base for the Red Sox, who already have All-Star Rafael Devers manning third.
“This is a monumental addition for us,” remarked shortstop Trevor Story, who previously considered a move to the Houston Astros before ultimately signing with Boston three years ago. “He has a winning mentality and adds valuable leadership and intensity to our clubhouse.”
Story continues, “I’ve developed a friendship with Alex over recent years. At one point, he was trying to bring me to Houston, and now it feels like the tables have turned as I encouraged him to join our team here. I’m thrilled we managed to secure this deal.”
On the same day, Bregman participated in batting practice, fielding drills, and also took the time to sign autographs for fans.
The Red Sox are set to formally introduce him at a press conference scheduled for Sunday.
In a move to create room for Bregman’s addition, Boston placed left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval on the 60-day injured list. Sandoval is currently in recovery following internal-brace surgery on his UCL, which was performed last June 26.
At 30 years old, Bregman brings experience as a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion from his nine seasons with the Houston Astros. However, he ended his last season with one of his lowest offensive outputs, posting a .260 batting average complemented by 26 home runs and 75 runs batted in, all while winning his first Gold Glove award.
Throughout his career, Bregman has demonstrated his power in the postseason, with 19 home runs, ranking him sixth in MLB history. The Astros drafted him second overall in the 2015 amateur draft, and Bregman made his major league debut the following year, where he performed impressively with a .284 batting average, 19 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 2017.
During that championship-winning season, he contributed significantly to the Astros’ first World Series title, although the championship was clouded by a Major League Baseball investigation revealing the team’s unauthorized use of technology to steal signs.
Bregman’s accolades include finishing fifth in the American League MVP voting in 2018 and second in 2019, during what were two of his most productive seasons in the batting lineup. He achieved a .286 average with 31 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2018, then followed it up with career-best stats in 2019—batting .296 with 41 homers and 112 RBIs, while also leading the league with 119 walks.
Last season, Bregman’s on-base discipline was less consistent, as he recorded only 44 walks with a pursuit rate of 23.6%, the highest it has been since 2017. Over his nine seasons in the major leagues, he holds a .272 batting average with 191 home runs and 663 runs batted in.
