UPDATE: Red Sox Slugger Alex Bregman Gets Cheaper Than Expected Contract Update

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Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman

It can’t go unnoticed just how important Alex Bregman has been for the Boston Red Sox throughout the 2025 campaign. Had Bregman not dealt with an injury earlier in the year, there’d be a strong argument to be made that he’s been the best player on the Red Sox roster.

Even now, with his .279 batting average and 16 home runs in 376 at-bats, there’s still something to be said about what the 31-year-old has done.

However, the question remains as to just how much money he could earn in free agency this winter, with many expecting him to opt out of his contract. Jeff Passan noted that the Red Sox understand what they have with him, so it sounds like they’re willing to pay a price if it comes down to it.

“It will take more than three years this time even though he’ll be going into his age-32 season,” Passan wrote . “After one of the more lucrative pillow contracts ever, Bregman is bound to get the five-year-plus deal at an average annual value of $35 million-plus that eluded him last winter…

“Boston recognizes what it would be losing were Bregman to embark elsewhere,” Passan wrote. “The excellent at-bats. The glove at third base. The relationships with Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell he forged during spring training. The attitude. The focus. The feeling that in this next incarnation of the Red Sox, he belongs somewhere in the middle.”

How Much Could Alex Bregman Earn in Free Agency?

Spotrac recently took a stab at how much Bregman could get in free agency. They had him coming in at six years and $158 million. Unfortunately for Bregman, if that plays out, it’d be a bit less than some expected Boston Red Sox or other teams have to pay him.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Boston Red Sox’s third baseman will be one of the headliners of free agency. Despite getting up there in age, this just goes to show how good Bregman has been for much of his career and short time in Boston.

“This winter’s class is expected to be headlined by three former or current Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman and Framber Valdez. It should also feature three of the game’s most prolific power hitters — Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso and Eugenio Suárez — and a trio of impact closers (Edwin Díaz, Aroldis Chapman and Robert Suarez),” he wrote .

Could Alex Bregman Leave the Red Sox?

Regarding how things could play out for Bregman over the next few years, Bowden noted that he’s expected to opt out of this contract and that the Boston Red Sox should be his first choice.

“Bregman, who is making $40 million this year and signed for two more years at that rate, will likely opt out of his contract and seek a longer-team deal. He missed time this season with a quad injury but has hit .299/.379/.542 in 327 plate appearances. It appears Boston would be his first choice in free agency, but he is an obvious fit with several other contending teams including the Phillies, Yankees, Tigers, Dodgers, Mariners and even the Mets.”

Jon Conahan covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. Since 2019, his sports coverage has appeared at Sports Illustrated, oddschecker, ClutchPoints and Sportskeeda. More about Jon Conahan