If you were at all surprised about Alex Bregman’s decision to opt-out, then that probably means you haven’t been paying much attention to the way Scott Boras has been doing business lately. Bregman’s decision to sign a short-term, option-laden contract last year, and then to opt out and test free agency again this year, followed a pattern that’s already proven successful for Boras clients. The six-year/$151 million dollar contract signed by Matt Chapman, a third baseman who was the same age then as Bregman is now, may be particularly instructive. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)

If the Sox do say goodbye to Bregman, it looks like one replacement option is already off the board. Kazuma Okamoto, the Tokyo Giants third baseman who has led the league in home runs three times, is apparently no longer likely to be posted:

There is still time for the Red Sox and Bregman to come to an agreement on an extension, just as the Sox did earlier this year with closer Aroldis Chapman. With the eighth and ninth innings locked up courtesy of Chapman and Garrett Whitlock, how aggressive will Craig Breslow be in pursuing other free agent relievers? Here’s a look at some potential signings, including Kirby Yates, Luke Weaver, and Kyle Finnegan. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)

But, with respect to Garrett Whitlock and his cohort, middle relievers just aren’t that fun to dream on. Starting pitchers, on the other hand, are. One year after swinging a trade for the biggest starting pitcher on the market, could the Sox try to do it again? There’s speculation that Tarik Skubal, Hunter Greene, and Mackenzie Gore could be available for the right price. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)

Tarik Skubal would certainly help the Sox get back to the World Series, which starts on Friday in Toronto. While the Sox aren’t in this one, they’ve been there plenty of times this century. And the 2007 team has just been ranked as the fifth-best World Series champion of the century. (Fox Sports)