Red Sox pivot to Bo Bichette After Cubs outbid for Alex Bregman: report
According to a new report, the Boston Red Sox were outbid by the Chicago Cubs for infielder Alex Bregman, who is headed to the Windy City on a five-year, $175 million deal.
Chris Cotillo of Mass Live said the Boston Red Sox were willing to offer the third baseman five years, though it was the money that ultimately made the difference, as the Cubs went to $175 million.
More news: Cubs Sign Alex Bregman to $175M Deal After Red Sox Opt-Out
The Red Sox signed Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal last winter, though it included opt-outs after the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The veteran star made the decision to opt out after just one year with Boston, hoping to secure a long-term deal. He also rejected his one-year, $22 million quality offer.
The Cubs will be paying Bregman $35 million per year for the next half-decade.
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His contract also included a no-trade clause and no opt-outs, meaning he will stay with Chicago unless a trade package comes along that the team accepts and Bregman approves of.
What is next for the Red Sox?
While it will sting for Boston fans that Bregman is walking away for nothing, getting only one year out of their prized signing, there are still a good deal of options left for the Red Sox to land.
Shortstop Bo Bichette, who projects as more of a second or third baseman, is available on the free agency market.
He is quite younger than Bregman, and while his defense is not as stellar, his bat is electric and would replace the 31-year-old’s production in a similar fashion.
Bichette is meeting with the Phillies on Monday, according to a report, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees are circling him.
Boston will need to open up the checkbook to land Bichette, but his long-term fit with the current core of players would seemingly appeal to the front office.
The Red Sox have already been linked to Bichette, and insider Bob Nightengale wrote on X that Boston “will now turn their sights to Bo Bichette” after the Bregman signing.
More news: Phillies Enter Bo Bichette Talks With Meeting Scheduled
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