Alex Bregman is a skilled baseball player. He has made a significant advancement in his career. The athlete signed a three-year contract. It’s worth $120 million. The contract is with the Boston Red Sox. This deal is his first experience as a free agent. Moreover, he is known as an excellent third baseman. He also had a successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Continue reading to learn more about Alex Bregman joining the Red Sox.
The Details of the Deal
The contract with the Red Sox includes opt-outs after the first and second seasons. This implies that he can choose to leave the contract early. This is in case he wants to. This type of deal is often called a “pillow deal”. It gives players the chance to prove themselves. Moreover, they can earn more money in the future.
He was ranked the fourth-best free agent this winter. It was stated by Yahoo Sports. Also, he was the last major agent to sign. This shows that the teams were hesitant to meet his asking price. Finally, his agent Scott has reportedly asked for offers. These included six years and more than $170 million.
Reasons for Hesitation
There were several reasons for the team being cautious of signing Bregman. The first consideration was his age. He is thirty years old. He is about to turn 31. As a result, this age may cause teams to reconsider long-term contracts. Furthermore, his performance in the 2024 season serves as a cause. He had a tough year. This raised doubts about his performance. Also, his plate discipline showed worrying trends. Along with this, his chase rate was 36%. This measures how often a player swings at pitches outside the strike zone. This was the highest rate since 2017.
Moreover, he had a swing rate of 44.9%. This was the highest since 2016. It resulted in a strikeout rate of 13.6%. This rate was the highest over a full season since 2017. Then, his walk rate dropped from 12.7% in 2023 to 6.9% in 2024. Hence, it led to a poor-based percentage of .315. It was the worst since his rookie year.
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A New Position
The Red Sox already had a younger player with a larger contract. This was Rafael Devers. So, Bregman expected to change positions. According to reports, he would play second base rather than third. Furthermore, he has held various jobs throughout his career. This includes both shortstop and left field. However, he hasn’t played such roles since 2019.
This modification could benefit the Red Sox. He brings experience and skills to the team. Also, he has shown that he can perform well in high-pressure situations. This is especially in the postseason.
Bregman’s Career Highlights
The player has had a successful career in MLB. He was fifth in American League MVP voting. This was in 2018. The next year, he finished second to Mike Trout in the same voting. Those were two of his best years at the plate. Also, in 2018, he batted .286 with 31 home runs. He also had 103 RBIs, and a major league-leading 51 doubles. Moreover, in 2019, he set his career highs with a .296 batting average. He had 41 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 119 walks. This also led the league.
He also has a lifetime batting average of .272 with 191 home runs. He also has 663 RBIs over nine seasons in the big leagues. Moreover, he has also been a two-time All-Star and a two-time World Series Champion. This was during his time with the Houston Astros.
Impact of the Contract
This new contract with the Red Sox is integral for several reasons. First and foremost, it allows him to show himself after a difficult season. If he performs well, he may opt out of the contract after two years. Then he can look for a more attractive deal.
Furthermore, this contract demonstrates the evolving nature of MLB contracts. There are many players opting for shorter deals with high average annual values. This trend allows players to re-enter free agency sooner. They can negotiate contracts based on their performance.
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Houston Astros’ Draft Pick Compensation
Bregman turned down a substantial offer worth $21.05 million. It was from the Houston Astros. As a result, the Astros will earn an additional pick following the fourth round of the amateur draft in July. The Astros had to sacrifice their second and fifth-highest picks. Then, they signed Christian Walker. Meanwhile, the Red Sox will lose their second-highest pick. They have to forfeit $500,000 of their international signing bonus pool allocation.
Looking Ahead to the Red Sox
As Bregman joins the Red Sox, there are high expectations from him. He must adapt to his new position. Also, he must work well with his new team-mates. The Red Sox hope his experience and skills will help them compete in the league.
His future with the Red Sox looks promising. If he performs well, he can help them succeed.
This can aid in securing a better contract for the future. The next few seasons will be crucial for him. He has to bounce back after a challenging year. There are a lot of expectations around his performance too.
Conclusion
This is an exciting chapter for Alex Bregman. He has decided to join the Red Sox. The contract is $120 million. It gives him a chance to make a strong comeback. Also, he still has a robust experience and skill set. This gives him an edge for the upcoming seasons. However, with his past performances, it is uncertain whether he will succeed with his new team.
