Bleacher Report's Alex Bregman contract prediction should be easy sell for Red Sox
It came as no surprise to reporters and fans when Alex Bregman opted out of the second two seasons of his three-year, $120 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. The third baseman coveted a long-term deal in free agency last winter, and when none of the teams in his market met his price, Bregman signed a high-average annual value bridge deal with Boston.
After reinforcing his reputation as a leader in the young Red Sox clubhouse and guiding the team back to the postseason for the first time since 2021, Bregman again seeks a long-term deal. The veteran told Chris Cotillo of
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report predicts his priorities will be met. In their free agent contract predictions piece from October 16, Reuter imagines that Bregman will land a five-year, $175 million contract. Reuter did not specify which team would give him said contract, but most insiders and reporters agree that a reunion with Boston is the most likely outcome of Bregman's free agency.
Reuter's proposed contract for Bregman looks strikingly similar to the deal he rejected from the Tigers last season. Detroit offered him six years and $170 million, but Bregman preferred to play in Boston on a higher AAV deal.
Bleacher Report's proposed contract for Alex Bregman should be an easy 'yes' for the Red Sox
If Bregman and his agent Scott Boras approach the Red Sox with contract demands in the range of
A five-year, $175 million deal would carry an AAV of $35 million, which is only $5 million less than Bregman made in 2025, when he played just 114 games due to a quad injury. Some fans may be hesitant to pay Bregman that kind of money because of his recent injury and age, but it's in Boston's best interest to bring him back.
After the Rafael Devers trade, the Red Sox don't have another experienced third baseman in their system to take Bregman's place if he walks in free agency. Bregman also brought leadership and over a hundred games of postseason experience to the Red Sox as one of the only trusted veterans on the roster. Trevor Story also has the opportunity to opt out of his contract, and if both he and Bregman leave, so does nearly all of the veteran leadership and the entire left side of the infield.
This year's class of free agent third basemen is also rather underwhelming, and Bregman is the best available option. Eugenio Suárez, Yoán Moncada, Paul De Jong and Luís Urías are also among the options, but none meet the Sox's needs as well as Bregman does.
The Devers trade has put all of his remaining contract money back in the Red Sox's pockets, and they must spend it on Bregman and another free agent power bat. The other options at third base are underwhelming and not as well-rounded as Bregman, and he aligns well with the team's goal to consistently return to the playoffs to compete for a World Series.
Chicago Cubs Could Consider Making Huge $125 Million Offseason Splash
The Chicago Cubs could be a team to watch for a projected $125 million splash during the MLB offseason.
Apr 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) smiles before a game between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.
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The Chicago Cubs head into the MLB offseason with quite a few needs at the top of their priority list. After being bounced out of the NLDS by the Milwaukee Brewers, there are some clear areas that Jed Hoyer and the front office will need to improve.
Obviously, the first thing on the offseason priority list is figuring out what to do with Kyle Tucker. Could the Cubs bring him back? Will he leave the team to sign elsewhere?
Once that question is answered, Chicago will be able to figure out what to do next.
At this point in time, it seems more likely that Tucker will not be back with the Cubs in 2026. That could change, but he’s going to command a lot of money and Chicago might not be willing to pay him what he’s looking to receive.
Should he leave, the Cubs could opt to spend big on a free agent or two.
Adding more starting pitching could be a priority this offseason. How about pursuing a top-tier starter like Dylan Cease?
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has predicted that Cease will sign a five-year, $125 million contract in free agency. That is a pretty penny, but Chicago might be open to the idea.
Throughout the course of the 2025 MLB season with the San Diego Padres, Cease made 32 starts. He compiled an 8-12 record to go along with a 4.55 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, a 3.0 K/BB ratio, and he completed 168 innings of work.
Cease is currently 29 years old. If the Cubs were to sign him to a four or five-year deal, he could be a valuable piece of the rotation for years to come.
Expect to hear a lot of rumors surrounding Chicago as the offseason gets underway. Hoyer and the franchise leadership haven’t shown a lot of aggressiveness in recent years. After being so close to making a run at a World Series appearance, the Cubs might just be willing to spend a bit more this time around.
It will be interesting to see what Chicago chooses to do this offseason. Cease could be a very intriguing option for the franchise to fill an obvious issue that the Cubs had in 2025.
