New Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman joins organization that initially drafted him in 2012
The Red Sox made a splash on Wednesday night, signing free agent infielder Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal, which includes opt-outs and a massive $40 million AAV. The deal also brings Bregman back to Boston, the team that initially drafted him.
Boston drafted Bregman out of high school in the 29th round after his stock dropped heading into the amateur draft due to breaking his hand. Bregman made it clear to the Red Sox he wanted to either be drafted in the first round or be given first-round money.
“I told them that I would sign if they took me there (with the 24th overall pick), and they didn’t. So it’s all right. I would have loved to,” Bregman said to MassLive back in 2017.
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Neither happened, and he refused to sign and ultimately was drafted by the Astros with the second overall selection in the 2015 draft. He became the fifth player to be drafted out of LSU in the first round in seven years and was the second highest position Tiger to be drafted.
Boston went on to select infielder Deven Marrero at No. 24 during that draft.
Bregman can now call Fenway Park home for the 2025 season and potential 2026 and 2027 if he elects to opt into his deal with Boston.
The right-handed slugger has seen tremendous success playing at Fenway Park, owning a career .375 batting average with seven homers, nine doubles, 15 RBI, 24 runs, and 16 walks with an eye-popping 1.240 OPS (21 games). His 1.240 OPS is the best in Major League history among players who have at least 90 plate appearances.
With Rafael Devers penciled in for third base, Bregman is expected to play second base. He has logged 32 career innings at second base, but his new manager, Alex Cora, feels that he can provide “a Gold Glove” type production at his new position.
Cora has been pumping up Bregman all offseason with the hopes the Red Sox would bring him in to help balance out their lineup loaded with lefties.
“Alex is a good player,” Cora said on Dec. 9 in Dallas at the Winter Meetings. “He's a complete player. He's a player that's been on winning teams his whole career. Good defender. Offensively, he's really good. He's a guy that a lot of people are talking about, and I do believe he can impact a big league team, a championship-caliber team. He's that type of player.”
With the 2012 draft in the rearview mirror, the Red Sox finally bring in Bregman and the veteran has created buzz amongst the fan base; he provides a massive upgrade to Boston’s infield defense, and his right-handed bat can slot in the middle of the order.
