LAKELAND, Fla. — The general manager of the Detroit Tigers, Scott Harris, expressed that he remained unfazed by third baseman Alex Bregman’s decision to sign with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman secured a three-year deal worth $120 million on Saturday, opting for Boston over a reportedly more lucrative proposal offering both additional years and greater financial rewards from Detroit.
Harris stated, “We want players who want to be Tigers,” during interviews with various media outlets. He acknowledged that the Tigers made an appealing offer but respected Bregman’s choice to move elsewhere. “That’s fine,” he added, indicating a focus on positivity.
At 30 years old, Bregman previously played for the Houston Astros for nine seasons, contributing to their success in winning two World Series championships, including one during the 2017 season with current Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.
Highlighting the Tigers’ resilience, Harris declared, “We’re going to be just fine without Alex Bregman.” He pointed out that the team reached the postseason last year and triumphed over Bregman’s former team, Houston.
The Tigers made significant strides last season, overcoming a decade-long absence from the playoffs and securing a wild-card spot. Although they were ousted in the AL Division Series by Cleveland, Harris remains optimistic about the team’s future.
This offseason, Harris has reinforced the team’s roster by acquiring Gleyber Torres, a two-time All-Star second baseman, and bolstering the pitching lineup with the signing of Jack Flaherty. Despite missing out on Bregman, he emphasized the promising options available at third base, which assures him of the team’s capacity to achieve continued success.
“We have Jace Jung, who excelled in the minor leagues—a left-handed hitter eager for more opportunities at the major league level,” Harris explained. He also mentioned Matt Vierling, an agile right-handed hitter who had a surprisingly good season, and Andy Ibáñez, who excels defensively at third base and is particularly strong against left-handed pitching. “These players will contribute significantly to our success this year,” he concluded.
