"Red Sox need to stop acting like a team with 13th highest payroll" - Boston comes under fire from MLB insider after Alex Bregman link-up

The Boston Red Sox have been one of the most active teams this offseason, making a series of moves that should help address some of their 2024 weaknesses. The club signed Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman in free agency while adding Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in a trade earlier this winter.

Even though the club has been able to improve its pitching staff this offseason, the Red Sox have failed to add a significant bat to their lineup. The team has found themselves linked to a number of stars. However, they have been unable to sign one or unwilling to pay up to finalize a deal.

The latter is something that MLB insider Jeff Passan took aim at on Monday. The club has been heavily linked to former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman all offseason, yet the two parties have yet to reach an agreement on a deal.

“The Red Sox need to stop acting like a team with the 13th-highest payroll in MLB and start acting like the Boston Red Sox, who until the COVID-19 pandemic never had an opening day payroll lower than sixth in baseball in this century," Passan wrote on ESPN.

Although Boston has been willing to sign veteran players to short-term deals, committing big money to Bregman could be massive for the team heading into 2025.

That being said, the team's ownership has been underfire at times due to poor decisions as opposed to handing out massive contracts. This was clear when the team traded Mookie Betts to the Dodgers instead of extending him. It will be interesting to see if the front office will step up to bring Bregman into the fold or simply allow another club to secure his signature.

Boston Red Sox may be facing stiff competition when it comes to Alex Bregman

Even if the Boston Red Sox are the preferred destination for Alex Bregman, there is no doubt that they will face plenty of competition for the All-Star third baseman. The Detroit Tigers, New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays have all been mentioned as potential landing spots for Bregman.

If the Red Sox are serious about competing in 2025, as well as bringing in Bregman, they will likely need to step up their efforts. Even if there are questions about the defensive fit with Rafael Devers, Bregman remains one of the top free agents available on the open market. The front office should use their financial abilities to get a deal done instead of risk losing him to another contender.