The Boston Red Sox may lose third baseman Alex Bregman to an unexpected team. According to reports from Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, the Arizona Diamondbacks have shown interest in Bregman. This development could trigger a trade involving Ketel Marte, signaling a significant shakeup for the Red Sox organization.
This is a shocking turn of events for Boston, who had prioritized re-signing Bregman in free agency. The star third baseman recently opted out of the remaining two years on his three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox. Represented by Scott Boras, and having declined an expensive contract option, Bregman appears to be seeking a substantial raise in the market.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel projects that Bregman could sign a five-year, $170 million deal. While this would be below the Average Annual Value (AAV) of his prior contract, it would offer more long-term security. With several teams now competing for the 32-year-old’s services, a bidding war could be on the horizon.
### Is It Worth It for Boston to Keep Bregman?
#### Alex Bregman’s Production With the Red Sox
Alex Bregman, a three-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion with the Houston Astros (2017 and 2022), had a solid season with Boston in 2025. He hit 18 home runs and posted an impressive .821 OPS, establishing himself as a premier free agent after his All-Star showing.
His plate discipline stood out—ranking above the 90th percentile in chase rate, whiff rate, and squared-up rate, according to Baseball Savant. Bregman has consistently avoided strikeouts at a high rate, a notable rarity in modern baseball.
Defensively, he provides above-average performance at third base. However, his 2025 season was cut short due to a quadriceps injury after playing 114 games, sidelining him for nearly two months. Though Bregman’s overall injury history is relatively clean—he has played 140 or more games in six of his nine major league seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 season)—a soft-tissue lower-body injury at this stage of his career raises some concerns.
#### How Would Boston Fare Without Bregman?
Losing Bregman would leave a significant void at third base, which might justify the cost of re-signing him. Currently, the Red Sox lack strong in-house replacements capable of filling Bregman’s role effectively.
Boston could either look to trade for or sign a less expensive veteran to fill the gap, or turn to some of their young talent. Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer are two high-upside prospects who could potentially take over at third base. However, handing the keys to either player right now is far from ideal due to their offensive struggles in 2025, albeit in limited at-bats.
Campbell batted just .223 with a .664 OPS and has very limited experience at third base—only five games in the minors—suggesting he might shift to second base instead. Mayer, while a better defensive fit having played 39 of his 49 major league games at the hot corner, hit only .228 with a .674 OPS.
From an offensive standpoint, losing Bregman without a proven replacement in place would be a major setback for the Red Sox.
#### The AL East Landscape
Adding pressure to Boston’s situation, the Toronto Blue Jays have made significant improvements this offseason, signing key players like Dylan Cease to bolster their roster. To keep pace with the reigning AL Champions, the Red Sox must seriously consider bringing back Bregman.
### Conclusion
Alex Bregman’s opt-out introduces uncertainty for Boston’s future at third base. Given his strong production, leadership, and the lack of ready replacements, re-signing him should remain a top priority. With multiple teams vying for his services, the Red Sox could face a competitive bidding war—but securing Bregman may be critical to maintaining their competitiveness in a tough division.
https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/boston-red-sox/surprise-team-for-alex-bregman-emerges/
