Red Sox star opting out of $120 million contract he signed just months ago
Red Sox veteran third baseman Alex Bregman is expected to opt out of his current three-year, $120 million contract that he signed just eight months ago
Red Sox star third baseman Alex Bregman is expected to take his talents back to the free agent market just eight months after inking a lucrative contract with Boston.
On the heels of the Red Sox’s crushing Wild Card exit at the hands of the New York Yankees earlier this month, Bregman is slated to opt out of the final two years of his current contract.
Back in February, the veteran infielder inked a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston that possessed opt-outs following each season.
While Bregman must officially announce that he is opting out within at least five days of when the World Series wraps up, New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that he intends on doing so.
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Should Bregman opt out of his active deal, he would be leaving $80 million on the table that the Red Sox owe him over the next two years. Given his age, however, the soon-to-be 32-year-old appears interested in landing a long-term contract with more security.
Last offseason, Bregman turned down a six-year, $171.5 million offer from the Detroit Tigers, citing in part a desire to receive a higher average annual value (AAV).
Following yet another All-Star worthy campaign, Bregman is set to have no shortage of suitors if he becomes a free agent. Despite missing 43 games with a lat strain he suffered in May, the Albuquerque, New Mexico native slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs over 114 contests.
During the 2025 postseason, Bregman went 3-for-10 with three walks, a double and RBI in three Wild Card games versus the Yankees.
While the Red Sox seem to be Bregman’s most likely landing spot, the Tigers could make another strong push to land him in the coming months. Heyman also noted that the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals could be potential fits.
Fresh off the Red Sox’s Wild Card exit, Bregman insisted that he hadn’t thought “at all” about his contractual situation up until that point.
“I’m going to think about this game and the guys in the room, start my offseason and get after it and become a better baseball player,” he explained.
“Proud of the guys for fighting all year. Remember the feeling, because it sucks. You don’t want to feel it. Take it into your offseason, continue to get better.
“I think we can look around the room, and every single player in this locker room got better as the year went on. There are no steps back now. There are only steps forward.”
As for whether or not he’d consider returning to Boston this offseason, Bregman asserted, “of course” before adding: "I'm not even thinking about that at all right now. I'm thinking about the game that just happened."