The Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers suffered with their defensive infields in 2024, explaining their interest in adding Alex Bregman, the biggest free agent infielder left in the market. The career .272 hitter also added a Gold Glove award in 2024 to polish his defensive CV.
As per MLB insider Jon Heyman, the two teams look to be the favorites because of their managers AJ Hinch and Alex Cora, as both have worked with Alex Bregman during their time with the Houston Astros. Hinch and Cora were the manager and batting coach respectively during the 2018-19 season at Houston.
"The two most logical teams right now are 5:two teams that have leaders who were with the Astros with Bregman, and they know him well, so that's a good sign for him obviously," Heyman said (5:44). "He's not only a favorite of me and you but of AJ Hinch with the Tigers and Alex Cora with the Red Sox."
Heyman further explained that Boston could bring in Bregman in at third base, but that would require changing Rafael Devers' position. If Devers moves to first, a trade for Triston Casas could seem imminent.
Similarly for the Tigers, their young slugger Colt Keith is their 3B. Thus both teams will have to consider options, but they have flexibility, as Bregman is open to playing 2B.
Jon Heyman names outsider in Alex Bregman sweepstakes
While Red Sox and Tigers are in contention, Heyman also said that the offseason could see some surprises. He said that the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays having money left in their pockets and needing infield depth as outsiders to join the race for Bregman.
"You never know Jays Mariners again teams that need to do something need offense have the money to spend, and I would say those are two other possibilities for Bregman," Heyman said. (6:23)
The Mariners had a dismal .213 batting average from their third basemen in 2024. Meanwhile, the Jays are in a pickle with the Bo Bichette situation. If they trade him away, Toronto will have a slot open in the infield and moving a few pieces could mean Bregman slotting into the 3B.
Being a corner infielder with a lot of defensive responsibilities, Alex Bregman could be commanding contracts in excess of $175 million.