Red Sox predicted to lose bidding war for 2-time All-Star

The Boston Red Sox have been trying to add some more firepower to the middle of the lineup.

Boston’s lineup could be pretty good in 2025, but it still needs a right-handed batter or two to even it out. Because of this, the Red Sox have been looking at Alex Bregman to possibly fill a need at second base.

The two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion is still available in free agency and does not appear to be returning to the Houston Astros. He’s going to get paid well this offseason, and the Red Sox have been heavily tied to him. But so have the Detroit Tigers.

Detroit is also looking to bring Bregman to town and Newsday’s Laura Albanese predicted that it will end up winning the bidding war over Boston.

“Bregman is one of the best defensive 3rd basemen in the league and has no slack at the plate, although his on-base numbers did take a dip last year,” Albanese said. “That said, with a (4.1) WAR in 2024, almost any team could benefit from his well-rounded game, strike zone awareness, defensive range and bat-to-ball skills.

“Astros general manager Dana Brown recently told The Athletic that talks with Bregman had “stalled,” making a reunion with his old team seem unlikely. However, there is one team that exceeded expectations last year, need a third baseman and have had a relatively quiet offseason — meaning they might have some extra cash to spend.

Boston has a clear connection to Bregman in the form of Alex Cora. The Tigers also have a connection to Bregman in manager AJ Hinch.

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