Bregman’s Return to Boston “Not a Lock”; Red Sox Won’t Offer “Blank Check,” Says Insider.vc
In a new report that is sending waves of concern through Red Sox Nation, a top insider says Alex Bregman’s return to Boston is “very much up in the air,” as the team is expected to be “disciplined” in its contract offer.
BOSTON — After a 2025 season that saw Alex Bregman become an All-Star, a fan favorite, and a key leader in the Red Sox’s first playoff run since 2021, most fans assumed his return was a top priority.
But according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, that reunion is far from a sure thing.
Speaking on the “Foul Territory” show, Cotillo, who is one of the most plugged-in reporters on the Red Sox beat, threw cold water on the idea that Bregman’s return is a formality.
“It’s not necessarily a lock that Alex Bregman returns to Boston,” Cotillo stated. “I think that Red Sox fans think that it’s a lock that he comes back and a guarantee. I think that it is very much up in the air.”
Bregman, 31, officially opted out of the remaining two years and $40 million on his contract earlier this month to test free agency. After his stellar 2025 campaign, he is now one of the premier bats on the market.
Boston Will Be “Disciplined”
While Red Sox CBO Craig Breslow has spoken glowingly of Bregman’s impact, Cotillo’s report suggests that praise will not translate into an over-the-top offer. The Red Sox are wary of getting into a massive bidding war.
“I think the Red Sox are going to be disciplined,” Cotillo continued. “I don’t think it’s going to be a blank check, as much as they loved him and I think that they could get outbid.”
Cotillo pointed to other teams, such as the Seattle Mariners or Detroit Tigers, as potential suitors who might be willing to go into “silly territory” with a six or seven-year deal to land the star third baseman.
The Tigers, in particular, have been noted as a threat. Their manager, A.J. Hinch, was Bregman’s longtime manager in Houston, and their ace, Tarik Skubal, publicly praised Bregman this week, saying, “I’d love to be teammates with him.”
A Hole in the Lineup?
While Breslow has publicly stated his desire to add a “middle-of-the-order power bat,” this new report suggests the Red Sox are not locked into Bregman being that player.
Losing Bregman would be a significant blow to the lineup and the clubhouse, where he was praised for mentoring young players like Marcelo Mayer. However, the front office appears to be holding a firm line, betting that the market for a 31-year-old infielder may not be as robust as Bregman’s camp hopes.
The report has officially shifted the narrative: the Red Sox “loved” having Bregman, but the decision on his return will be a “disciplined” one based on price, not emotion.
