LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Alex Bregman sweepstakes is over. Now the question is whether the Detroit Tigers will stand pat or pivot.
Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. The Athletic was the first to report the news.
Although the deal fell short of the $200 million long-term megadeal that Bregman was seeking, the whopping $40 million annual value is a substantial consolation prize. Bregman will also have the ability to opt out of the deal after Year 1 and Year 2.
ESPN said some of the money would be deferred, which could reduce the real present-day value of the contract.
Bregman, who turns 31 in March, is a two-time All-Star and MVP finalist known for his power, plate discipline, and excellent defense at third base.
The Tigers now seem likely to use some combination of Jace Jung and Matt Vierling at third, although there could be other late options on the table.
The signing of Bregman after a protracted process could finally be the spark needed for the Cardinals to complete a trade of third baseman Nolan Arenado. (The veteran has a no-trade clause and could reject any deal).
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who managed the Astros from 2015-2019 and lives in Houston during the offseason, said he’s been bombarded with questions about Bregman’s future everywhere he goes -- on airplanes, in restaurants, even walking down the street.
“He’s a very talented player, a very impactful player, and someone who is close to my heart,” Hinch said earlier Wednesday. “This is a guy I’m really close with. So I’ve largely stayed away from talking about it because he’s not here. I’ve tried not to go into the public relations banter of trying to recruit him here. But he can help any major league team, and time will tell where that is and what he chooses.”
