It’s difficult to assess the Boston Red Sox’s performance thus far this season. On the one hand, the team has been cruel, performing worse than many had anticipated at the start of the season. It’s much too soon to panic, though, since the team is currently 8-10 overall and has just two games left in the American League East.
Given that the Red Sox have fallen short of expectations and aren’t exactly 4-14, one could argue that there are some good aspects to the team’s start. However, if Alex Bregman chooses to opt out of his contract, he will be subject to free agency once more, which could lead to some confusion over the coming months.
Bregman signed a $120 million, three-year contract that included opt-outs after every season, and it appears that he will be available for purchase again the following winter. MLB Trade Rumors recently predicted that Bregman would opt out of his contract and attempt to sign a deal for more than $160 million. They also stated that Scott Boras would stop at nothing to ensure his client was compensated.
“With the addition of his first year in Boston, Brettman and the Boras Corporation can and probably will point to anything over $160 million in the upcoming offseason to earn a net total exceeding $200 million for his free agent years. Last winter, that kind of offer was there, and with a normal Bregman season, it should be again.
“Next March, Brettman will turn 32, making him too old to be a top-tier free agent. However, Matt Chapman signed a six-year, $151 million agreement at that age, and he did so without the advantage of the open market. As long as he remains healthy and effective this season, Bregman—the most reliable offensive player—should meet or surpass that goal, according to Steve Adams.
After a quiet free agency the previous time around, Bregman will be 32 at the beginning of the next season, raising concerns about whether teams will think he is a player worth that much money. He’s batting in his first eighteen games in Boston. 274 with a 117 OPS+ and two home homers.
