LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Scott Harris, the general manager of the Detroit Tigers, remained resolute in his stance despite star player Alex Bregman choosing to sign with the Boston Red Sox. Bregman, a two-time All-Star third baseman, solidified a lucrative $120 million, three-year deal on Saturday with the Red Sox, rejecting a presumably more lucrative and longer offer from Detroit.
“We are committed to having players who possess a genuine desire to don the Tigers uniform,” Harris reiterated to various media outlets. “While we presented a compelling proposal to Alex Bregman, he ultimately made the decision to join a different team, and we respect that choice.”
The 30-year-old Bregman, a key figure in the Houston Astros’ triumphs in two World Series, notably alongside current Tigers manager A.J. Hinch during the 2017 championship, spent nine fruitful seasons with the Astros.
“We are fully confident in the resilience of our team even in the absence of Alex Bregman,” Harris affirmed. “Our roster includes a group of players who successfully navigated their way to the playoffs, defeating formidable opponents, including those featuring Bregman.”
Following a triumphant playoff run last season, which ended a decade-long postseason drought for Detroit, where they swept Houston in the initial round and then were eliminated by Cleveland in the AL Division Series, Harris further bolstered the team’s capabilities. The addition of two-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres and the signing of Jack Flaherty significantly enhanced the Tigers’ lineup and pitching rotation.
Despite the Tigers’ bold pursuit of Bregman during a notably active offseason, Harris remains optimistic about the team’s prospects at third base, emphasizing the depth and talent available.
“We have promising options at our disposal, such as Jace Jung, a left-handed hitter who excelled in the minor leagues and deserves significant playing time at this level,” Harris elaborated. “Additionally, we have Matt Vierling, a versatile and athletically gifted right-handed batter who showcased notable performance last season. Andy Ibáñez, known for his prowess against left-handed pitchers and exceptional defensive skills at third base, further bolsters our lineup. These individuals are poised to contribute significantly to our success in the upcoming season.”
___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
