Alex Bregman had intentions of signing with the Detroit Tigers, which had been the plan all along. However, the All-Star third baseman surprised everyone when he ultimately decided to join the Boston Red Sox on Feb. 12, agreeing to a three-year, $120 million contract with $60 million in deferred money and opt-outs possible after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Bregman turned down offers from both the Tigers and the Chicago Cubs in favor of Boston’s deal.
The Tigers had offered Bregman a six-year, $171.5 million contract with $40 million in deferred money and an opt-out after the 2026 season. Bregman revealed in an interview that the plan was to sign with Detroit until Boston swooped in during the final 30 minutes and sealed the deal.
Despite his initial expectations, Bregman expressed excitement about joining the Red Sox, highlighting the last-minute change in plans. He shared insights into his free agency process, which lasted over three months, and discussed his close relationship with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, whom he praised as an excellent manager.
Bregman acknowledged Detroit’s recent success, including their postseason run in 2024 and their victory over his former team, the Houston Astros, in the wild-card series. He mentioned that he wanted to join a team where he could win, considering Detroit, Boston, Houston, and Chicago as potential destinations. Ultimately, he expressed enthusiasm about playing for Boston.
Meanwhile, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris emphasized the importance of having players who genuinely want to be part of the team. Despite their efforts to sign Bregman, the Tigers respected his decision to choose another team. Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, also highlighted the respect Bregman has for the Tigers organization and its bright future.
In the end, Bregman’s unexpected move to Boston marked a significant shift from his initial plans to sign with Detroit, showcasing the unpredictable nature of free agency in baseball.
Alex Bregman was directed to present offers to Detroit, showcasing his high opinion of the city and the team. As he gears up for the 2025 season, Bregman, currently with the Red Sox, boasts a .333 batting average with three home runs, five walks, and eight strikeouts in 13 spring training games. Renowned for his defensive skills, the Gold Glove-winning third baseman has averaged 25 home runs and 154 games per season over the past three years with the Astros, achieving a .798 OPS. With his 14 fWAR from 2022-24 ranking 18th out of 230 qualified players, Bregman is a sought-after player. The Tigers are facing a void at third base after sending rookie Jace Jung to Triple-A Toledo due to his offensive struggles in spring training. They are planning to rotate Zach McKinstry against right-handed pitchers and Andy Ibáñez against left-handed pitchers to start the season. Bregman has the option to become a free agent after the 2025 season by opting out of his contract with the Red Sox. Despite almost joining Detroit, Bregman ended up signing with the Red Sox in a last-minute twist. Download the USA TODAY app for quick access to top-notch news coverage, crosswords, audio stories, the eNewspaper, and more.
