Astros' Alex Bregman willing to move off third base; Red Sox an option?
The Red Sox saw another rotating door of players at second base last season. Initially, Vaughn Grissom was penciled in as the everyday second baseman following the offseason trade with the Braves last winter. Injuries and time down in Triple-A Worcester kept Grissom off the Red Sox roster outside of 31 games.
As the Red Sox begin to navigate through the offseason, Boston could look to upgrade second base externally while utilizing their young internal options as potential trade bait to land pitching.
Longtime Astros third baseman Alex Bregman is a free agent this offseason, and he is open to moving off position and playing second base.
According to his agent, Scott Boras, via USA Today’s Bob Nightingale, Bregman is open to moving off position after playing third base for his whole career.
“They clearly understand the rarity of being in four World Series and being in the postseason eight years in a row,” Boras said. “And him being a centerpiece of that... As to meeting markets and the demand of this kind of player, you just don’t have many players on the dirt that does what he does. Also that Bregman can play second base, third base, his leadership, it’s a market certainly that the Astros are very aware is very healthy to him.”
Boston has internal options to play second base with Grissom, David Hamilton, Enmanuel Valdez, and Nick Sogard on the 40-man roster. If the Sox were to upgrade at shortstop, Trevor Story could slide back to second base. Other internal options like Marcelo Mayer, Kristian Campbell, and Chase Meidroth are all options at some point in 2025.
The idea of signing Bregman would give the Red Sox a strong, formidable infield with Rafael Devers at third base, Story at shortstop, and Triston Casas at first base. The Red Sox have already said during the GM meetings that Devers was not moving off third base anytime soon.
Bregman would be an interesting addition; he would provide power from the right-hand side of the lineup, which is a need for the Red Sox. The two-time All-Star and World Series champion won a Gold Glove last year while hitting .260 with 26 homers in 2024.
The Red Sox are no stranger to Bregman; Boston drafted him in 2012 in the 29th round. Bregman, whose stock dropped that year leading into the draft due to a broken hand, fell to Boston. Despite being drafted by the Red Sox, he never came close to becoming a member of the organization. Prior to the draft, Bregman told the Red Sox he would only sign with them had he been selected with the 24th overall pick; Boston pivoted to infielder Devin Marrero instead.
It’s unknown if the Red Sox will be seriously pursuing Bregman in free agency. He would check off some boxes for their 26-man roster: right-handed hitter, Gold Glove elite defense, move to second base, and a proven leader in the clubhouse.
