FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Bregman beamed with excitement when asked about who influenced his decision to join the Boston Red Sox. He named his all-time favorite player, Dustin Pedroia, a celebrated former second baseman and two-time World Series champion with the team.
“Dustin reached out a couple of times during the offseason, sharing how amazing it was to be part of the Red Sox organization,” Bregman reflected during a news conference on Sunday. The meeting followed the announcement of his impressive $120 million, three-year contract. He was joined at the event by key figures including his agent Scott Boras, Boston’s Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, and Manager Alex Cora, who warmly welcomed him to the team by handing him his new No. 2 jersey. Team president Sam Kennedy was also present.
While the specifics of Bregman’s role on the field were questioned, neither Breslow nor Cora disclosed whether he would transition to second base, a position once held by Pedroia, or continue playing third base, where Rafael Devers has been established since July 2017. Behind the reporters, several players and coaches, including Jarren Duran and Rob Refsnyder, were gathered, listening intently.
Bregman’s lucrative contract comprises a $5 million signing bonus and a salary of $35 million for the current season, followed by $40 million for each of the subsequent two years, with some funds deferred. He also secured the option to become a free agent again after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. When questioned about his choice for a shorter contract with opt-out clauses, Bregman responded confidently, stating, “I just think I believe in my abilities.”
Originally drafted by Boston in the 29th round of the 2012 MLB draft, Bregman later attended LSU before being selected second overall by the Houston Astros in 2015. His connection to the Red Sox is deep-rooted; he shared that his father used to sit on Ted Williams’ lap when he was a child.
Notably, Bregman has family ties to baseball history; his grandfather, Stan Bregman, was a lawyer for the Washington Senators and played a role in negotiating Ted Williams’ managerial deal.
Despite the Red Sox missing the playoffs in five of the last six seasons and historically avoiding high-profile signings, talks with Red Sox owner John Henry highlighted an organizational drive to change their approach. Boras noted, “I could sense that John was eager for a different direction after years of frustration.” He expressed confidence that the Red Sox leadership was craving a return to championship-caliber performance.
Breslow described Bregman as the “perfect fit” for the team. The 30-year-old arrives in Boston after enjoying success with the Astros, including two World Series titles and eight consecutive playoff appearances. In his introductory comments, Bregman stated, “I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the playoffs in my first eight years, and I intend to continue that tradition here. I’m a winning player and this is a winning organization.”
After finishing the previous season with an even 81-81 record, the Red Sox made strategic additions to their pitching staff, acquiring Garrett Crochet from the White Sox and signing prominent pitchers such as Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, and Justin Wilson over the offseason. As they fortified their pitching capabilities, they also recognized the need for a strong right-handed bat, and Bregman emerged as the ideal candidate.
“As the offseason unfolded, it became increasingly evident that Alex was the right choice to help us achieve our goals,” Breslow explained. Bregman’s impressive performance at Fenway Park can’t be overlooked, as he boasts the highest OPS among players with a minimum of 75 career plate appearances there at 1.240. “He fits perfectly into our organization,” added Kennedy.
