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The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers “remain interested” in signing free agent third baseman Alex Bregman, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported.
Feinsand noted that it is not clear that the Tigers “will be willing to give Bregman the type of deal he is seeking,” while Boston’s pursuit could be complicated by its crowded infield.
The Houston Astros previously offered Bregman a six-year, $156 million contract that he turned down in search of a $200 million deal, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.
The Astros have since stocked their infield by signing first baseman Christian Walker and acquiring third baseman Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs, indicating that offer may no longer be on the table.
The New York Yankees have also previously been tied to Bregman, but the New York Post’s Jon Heyman recently reported that people around the team “question whether Yankee Stadium is right for him.”
In nine seasons with the Astros Bregman had recorded 210 total home runs, only 153 of which would have counted in lefty-friendly Yankee Stadium (h/t Baseball Savant.)
That could open the field for the Tigers to make a bid for Bregman, although the signing could require a major jump in Detroit’s payroll.
The franchise is currently set to rank among the lowest-spending teams in the MLB next season with a projected 2025 payroll of under $80 million, per Spotrac, and owner Christopher Ilitch may not be inclined to change that after the Tigers made the 2024 postseason with a similarly inexpensive roster.
The Red Sox would meanwhile need to make a decision regarding first baseman Triston Casas before acquiring Bregman, as noted by Feinsand.
The franchise attempted to trade Casas earlier this season, per MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer, but MassLive’s Chris Cotillo recently reported his belief that the franchise is more likely to hang on to Casas following their signing of Walker Buehler.
Casas staying means Bregman may have to slide to second base, with Rafael Devers moving to first, in order to fit into the Boston infield.
Bregman slashed .260/.315/.453 with 75 RBI for the Astros last season. Although Baseball Savant projects his home run totals taking similar dips in Boston or Detroit, he would still offer an offensive boost to either team should they find a spot for him on their infield and payroll.