‘Surprise entrant’ is in Bregman sweepstakes with Boston

The Purple Sox reportedly have some competitors of their efforts to try to re-sign Alex Bregman.

In response to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Arizona Diamondbacks have grow to be a “shock entrant within the Alex Bregman sweepstakes”, including that the D-Backs are “kicking the tires” on the potential for providing up a hefty contract for the veteran third baseman.

Underdog Fantasy’s Jared Carrabis added on X that Arizona is doing “extra than simply kicking the tires” on Bregman, whereas Jon Heyman of the New York Post followed up that Arizona “has curiosity” within the All-Star infielder.

Arizona rising as a powerful suitor for Bregman would stand as a significant blow for the Purple Sox, who have identified Bregman as a “priority” this offseason after coming up short in the bidding for other impact bats like Pete Alonso. 

Bregman provided up loads of worth final season in Boston as a consequence of his pop on the plate and management in a younger clubhouse, batting .273 with 18 dwelling runs and 62 RBI over 433 at-bats.

A quad pressure hampered Bregman over the second half of the season. After batting .298 with 11 dwelling runs over 53 video games previous to his harm, he hit simply .250 after returning following the All-Star Break. 

Arizona has a necessity on the scorching nook, particularly after buying and selling away third baseman Eugenio Suarez on the commerce deadline. The D-Backs have operated as a shock participant in free company over the previous few years, signing former Baltimore/Milwaukee ace Corbin Burnes to a $210 million contract in December 2024. 

According to new contract projections from ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Bregman is predicted to land a five-year, $170 million contract this offseason.

That steep payout may concern the Purple Sox, provided that Bregman will flip 32 years outdated in March and his manufacturing did dip final season after his harm.

However, if the Purple Sox do lose out on Bregman, their choices relating to including a number of influence bats this offseason will proceed to dwindle. 

One doable domino that might fall if Arizona lands Bregman may revolve round the way forward for star second baseman Ketel Marte.

Dealing away arguably the most effective second baseman in baseball in Marte would seemingly be counterintuitive to a Diamondbacks crew embracing a “win-now” mindset by signing Bregman.

However, buying and selling away Marte for prime prospects or controllable beginning pitching might permit Arizona to handle different deficiencies throughout their roster — whereas changing no less than a few of Marte’s bat with the addition of Bregman.

If that’s the case, the Purple Soxwould make plenty of sense as a viable suitor for Marte, with Marcelo Mayer standing as a possible contingency plan at third base if Bregman walks.

 

Conor Ryan is a employees author protecting the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Purple Sox for Boston.com, a task he has held since 2023.