Former GM Predicts ‘Robust Market’ For Red Sox All-Star

Alex Bregman is officially a free agent after opting out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox on Monday, and he figures to have plenty of suitors this offseason.

Coming off his third All-Star appearance and highest OPS since 2019, Bregman still has plenty of value heading into his age-32 season. His bat was good enough to make him an AL Silver Slugger finalist this year, and he remains a Gold Glove-caliber defender at the hot corner.

Throw in his extensive postseason experience, leadership ability and other intangibles, and there will likely be a long list of teams bidding for his services this winter.

During an appearance on MLB Network on Wednesday, former GM Steve Phillips identified several possible landing spots for Bregman.

Phillips named the Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals as possible contenders for Bregman.

“I think there’s gonna be a robust market,” Phillips said. “I think there are a lot of teams that will be in on him. It’s gonna be interesting to see what that deal looks like.”

That’s bad news for Boston, as a lot of competition for Bregman will drive up his price and make him more likely to sign elsewhere. The Red Sox have seen how crazy bidding wars can get for free agents, like the one the San Diego Padres won for Xander Bogaerts a few years ago.

The offseason has only just begun, so time will tell how Bregman’s situation shakes out and which teams seriously pursue him. Boston should be one of them, but it won’t be the only one.