Tigers Exec comments on interest in potential Red Sox target

The Tigers confirmed their signing of Gleyber Torres, which could affect the Boston Red Sox.

Detroit signed the former New York Yankees infielder on Friday to a one-year, $15 million contract. To make room on his 40-man roster, former Red Sox pitcher Bailey Horn was designated for assignment.

President of baseball operations Scott Harris confirmed that Torres would play second base and Colt Keith would move to first base. It’s unknown what that means for Spencer Torkelson, but the infield moves would see Jace Jung penciled in at third base; Torres turned down a deal from the Washington Nationals because he didn’t want to play the hot corner, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

The Tigers, along with the Red Sox, are linked to Alex Bregman, who they could realistically still sign. However, this means that a young bat like Jace Jung would not get the playing time he and the team would ideally like. Harris offered a brief word on Detroit’s interest in Bregman.

“I can’t comment on any free agent. I can just tell you that we’re already working to continue to get better,” Harris told reporters, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “We’re trying to find ways to make this organization better. … But I really like where we are right now.”

So not a whole lot of information to work from. It’s possible the Torres signing was a pivot from Bregman, which would bode well for the Red Sox. However, the Tigers made a surprising run to the American League Division Series in 2024 and are built for a postseason repeat. Bregman could be the veteran leader to help lead the club’s next generation.

Of course, that logic also applies to Boston. Bregman has relationships with AJ Hinch and Alex Cora, so neither club has a significant managerial advantage when it comes to preferences. Bregman’s destination will come down to which club is more appealing to the two-time World Series champion.