The Alex Bregman $200 million free agency sweepstakes is likely down to five teams: the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers.
Each of these five teams has their own pros and cons. The Blue Jays seem to be sitting in last place after signing Anthony Santander and Max Scherzer. Many view the incumbent Astros as the favorite, but it’s unclear what Houston’s current offer is. The Tigers and Cubs both make sense, but the money remains an issue for everybody.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently favored the Red Sox among the other top suitors. He noted how aggressively the Red Sox are pursuing the former Astros third baseman.
“The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox have aggressively pursued Bregman this winter, with the Red Sox offering a four-year deal, according to the Boston Globe, while the Tigers are offering at least a five- or six-year deal,” Nightengale wrote. “It now may be down to whether Bregman wants to receive a lucrative contract from the Detroit Tigers and play for former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, or go to second base and play in Boston for former Astros bench coach Alex Cora.”
At this point in time, it doesn’t seem like either side wants to budge. The Red Sox don’t necessarily need to add Bregman, but he would certainly help upgrade the offense a bit.
With Boston still aggressively pursuing the superstar infielder, there’s a chance it ups the offer a little bit to steal Bregman from the other four top suitors.