If the Boston Red Sox want to convince their supporters they care about short-term success, they have some work to do.
One way to reassure the fan base would be to extend third baseman Alex Bregman’s contract. The veteran has the option to opt out of the final two years of his three-year, $120 million deal at the end of the season.
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow told fans the team remains focused on making the playoffs, even after trading franchise slugger Rafael Devers during a winning streak. Now he needs to convince them.
Where Do the Boston Red Sox Stand on the Alex Bregman Situation?
According to Boston Strong, Breslow said, “When the right time comes to have the those conversations (extension), we’re very confident that we will.”
Craig Breslow on Alex Bregman: “When the right time comes to have the those conversations (extension), we’re very confident that we will.”
Via: @WEEI pic.twitter.com/qDrNT5nPEo
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) June 26, 2025
Because of a right quad strain, Bregman has been on the 15-day injured list since May 24 and isn’t expected to return until after the All-Star break.
Before the injury, he batted .299 in 51 games (226 plate appearances) with a .385 on-base percentage, .553 slugging percentage and a .938 OPS.
It’s easy to argue that the Red Sox made three of the best offseason decisions before the year began, even though they haven’t had the season they hoped for so far.
Along with signing Bregman, the Red Sox also acquired and extended ace Garrett Crochet in a deal with the Chicago White Sox. They further bolstered the roster by signing closer Aroldis Chapman to a one-year, $10.75 million contract.
Of the three, Crochet is the only one guaranteed to be in Boston next season. Bregman, after a strong start, is expected to opt out in pursuit of a long-term deal, while Chapman is signed only through the end of the season.
Bregman and his agent, Scott Boras, could be open to a long-term extension instead of opting out. While Boras’ clients are often hesitant to sign extensions, that trend usually applies to younger players who prefer not to delay free agency or limit their future earning potential.
Before the season, Bregman was set to hit free agency but took a short-term deal after failing to land the contract he wanted. Now, with the strong season he’s having, several teams could look to sign him long term. If so, the Red Sox would be smart to make their move soon.