The Boston Red Sox could be in serious trouble heading into the offseason. Well-known sports agent Scott Boras has never been shy about wielding leverage, and his latest comments on third baseman Alex Bregman's future in Boston are a perfect reminder of that.
Speaking with WEEI's Rob Bradford, Boras made it clear that Bregman intends to play out the rest of the 2025 season and wait until the offseason to see what the options are then.
"We’re at the point now where you wait until the offseason and see what transpired," Boras said. "He has enjoyed it there. The team has a more defined promise than it did a year ago. With free agency, you have to see how things go."
This message was unmistakable. The Red Sox haven't locked in their star third baseman yet, and now the clock is ticking.
Red Sox Are Taking a Risk with Approach to Alex Bregman's Future
For the Red Sox, this patient approach may look prudent on the surface. They've watched Bregman become a central figure in their turnaround season, stabilizing the infield while delivering the kind of presence at the plate that the lineup has sorely lacked.
However, when it comes to high-end talent that is represented by Boras, "waiting" is a terminal phase to be in and is a very dangerous game. Once a player reaches the open market, anything can happen, especially in today's MLB landscape.
People assumed Freddie Freeman was going to re-sign with the Atlanta Braves after they won the World Series. People also assumed that Juan Soto was going to stay with the New York Yankees. Money talks, and that'll remain true as MLB contracts continue to balloon.
One could argue that the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros both offered him longer and larger deals, both over $150 million. But the problem was, the Red Sox's $120 million was over just three years, meaning he would get more money per season, about $10 million or more, compared to the others.
On the other hand, the Red Sox may have been waiting for a chance to gather a full year of evaluation. Could Bregman stay healthy after his lengthy injury this year? Can he anchor this emerging core into October?
By deferring negotiations, the front office maintains flexibility while showing confidence that they won't blink under Boras' pressure, and he's been a big chip on Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow's shoulder, mind you. If they go far, perhaps the player himself will be fully convinced that Boston is the long-term home that he wants.
Still, the gamble is real. Boras' clients rarely settle for hometown discounts, and the home team will have to make a huge overpayment to make them stay. If they can't reach an agreement on a new contract, the Red Sox could find themselves bidding against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yankees, and many other aggressive clubs with deep pockets who'd love to add a player of Bregman's caliber.