The Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal last offseason. His deal gives him the ability to opt out after this season.

With Rafael Devers gone, the Red Sox have the money to pay Bregman. He and his agent have reportedly noted they are open to an extension, but the closer Bregman gets to free agency, the more reason he has to wait and see what the open market offers him.

Bregman was a two-time All-Star for the Houston Astros. However, he had not played at that same level since 2019. He was still a great player, though, playing a huge role in the Astros’ continued success. This season, he found that previous All-Star form and was named to the All-Star Game for the third time in his career.

Bregman has slashed .293/.366/.535 through 67 games with the Red Sox. From 2020 through 2024, he slashed .261/.350/.445. He should have plenty of suitors in free agency, and the Red Sox may not actually need him as badly as many think.

Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicted Bregman would leave the Red Sox in favor of a four-year, $128 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. The Red Sox will still be in the mix to keep him, but they do have the pieces in place to move forward without him.

“Then again, with Marcelo Mayer now in the mix and Trevor Story not going anywhere in the next few years, Boston might be reluctant enough to increase its investment to allow [someone] else to swoop in,” wrote Miller.

Mayer is going to be a big part of the team’s future. They could slot him in at second base moving forward, but that would create a problem for Kristian Campbell, who has already signed an extension with the team.

The Tigers have been linked to Bregman since the offseason. They were unable to land him last winter, but may be able to get him this year.