If the Red Sox let Bregman slip away in free agency, they’ll regret it originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
He was listed in the scorebook as L-7, but Red Sox ownership should take another look at the at-bat and then go off the fence and sign Alex Bregman.
Everyone remembers the situation. Bases loaded, Red Sox up 8-6, a shaky Craig Kimbrel trying to close out Game 4 of the 2018 American League Championship Series in Houston with David Price hurriedly warming up.
Bregman was the last person the Red Sox wanted to see. They had spent the entire series meticulously avoiding him (seven walks), but now there was nowhere to hide.
As Bregman stepped up to the plate with Minute Maid Park swaying and Red Sox manager Alex Cora looking giddy, the 24-year-old projected an iron calm, especially when juxtaposed against Kimbrel’s dripping hose of sweat. The best season in Red Sox history was on the line.
Bregman is a patient hitter (a year later he would lead the American League with 119 walks) and Kimbrel had just loaded the walks. Catcher Sandy Leon made a low and far setup, but Kimbrel, as was his habit, missed badly. The first-pitch 97 mph fastball sailed toward the heart of the plate and ran far enough in that Bregman couldn’t fully extend his arms, but with his short swing he still made solid contact, sending a line drive that sank to the left field.
If the ball falls, the Astros win, but Andrew Benintendi exhausted himself to make the spectacular catch, delivering the signature play of the postseason. The Red Sox won the series in five games en route to their fourth World Series in 14 years. Bregman left the field with the same impassive expression, helmet in hand. I couldn’t have done much more.
The two-time World Series winner is a bad man who was born for those moments, and there’s a chance he could achieve them in Boston, if only the Red Sox would act.
An offseason that began with promises to spend has stalled. the main office made a massive trade for potential ace Garrett Crochet and signed former Dodgers standout Walker Buehler to a one-year contract, but neither acquisition cost much money and the roster remains incomplete.
The Red Sox desperately need a right-handed bat, especially after losing 30-homer outfielder Tyler O’Neill, but they were a non-factor for Teoscar Hernandez before he rejoined the Dodgers, and have not been linked to a Silver trade. Slugging. The hitter Antonio Santander. It’s starting to feel like they might go the bargain route again, which is incredibly frustrating because they’re so close.
Bregman is the boldest move left, and even at $200 million, it would be money well spent.
The 30-year-old is the biggest bat left in free agency, a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger who just won his first Gold Glove, which he is willing to go to second base.
He’s exactly the type of player the Red Sox desperately need, on and off the field. He’s blessed with natural drawing power as a right-hander and commands the strike zone, two must-haves for an overly left-handed lineup that was at its best last year when it manufactured runs.
He is also a natural leader and one of the most experienced postseason players in the game. He has appeared in 99 playoff games and has no shortage of big moments, starting with a World Series win to beat Kenley Jansen and the Dodgers as a rookie, and Continuing until ALCS 2023when his three home runs helped the Astros lead the Rangers to seven games.
In a club where Rafael Devers does not want to lead and Jarren Duran really isn’t right for the roleBregman would immediately provide guidance and stability. Prospects like Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell need role models, and Bregman is perfect. It’s no secret that Cora loves him.
Because Bregman will turn 31 in March and has seen his production drop considerably from an MVP-caliber 41-homer 2019, it’s easy to argue that he’s at a disadvantage. But at some point the Red Sox have to get uncomfortable and recognize that they need reinforcements right now. After all, the division is wide open. after superstar slugger Juan Soto left the Yankees for the Mets and Cy Young candidate Corbin Burnes left Baltimore for Arizona.
The Red Sox are on the rise, but they need help. Remember that feeling of dread when Bregman stepped in with nowhere to put him and the season on the line? The Red Sox could use that on their side.
Just pay the man and let the rest of baseball know you’re going to be a problem again.