The Boston Red Sox are looking to build on their momentum from last season in 2026, and the front office has acted aggressively through trades to bolster the roster. However, one key contributor from 2025 remains unsigned: third baseman Alex Bregman.
The 31-year-old veteran is an unrestricted free agent for the second consecutive offseason as he continues to pursue a long-term deal.
Bregman’s season with the Red Sox was a success both on and off the field. He provided a steadying influence in the clubhouse, serving as a valuable presence for a young roster filled with emerging talent.
On the diamond, he remained productive, posting a .273 batting average, .360 on-base percentage and .821 OPS, while adding 18 home runs and 62 RBIs across 114 games. His ability to blend veteran leadership with consistent offensive production made him one of Boston’s most important pieces in 2025.
That performance has drawn interest from around the league, including from Boston’s AL East rivals, the Toronto Blue Jays. Fresh off a World Series appearance, Toronto has been widely viewed as one of the offseason’s biggest winners.
Their interest in Bregman was very real, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. “The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon wrote at the Winter Meetings that Bregman was a ‘potential backup plan’ if the Blue Jays did not sign right fielder Kyle Tucker or infielder Bo Bichette. Bregman might be more than that. Team officials have been in recent contact with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras, according to sources briefed on the conversations,” Rosenthal reported in December.
However, that dynamic shifted on Saturday, when the Blue Jays signed Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $160 million deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Okamoto’s arrival almost certainly takes Toronto out of the Bregman sweepstakes, as he is expected to be their everyday third baseman.
That development could open the door for Boston to strike. ESPN’s Buster Olney said on Friday’s edition of “First Up with Korolnek” and Colaiacovo that he believes a Red Sox–Bregman reunion is likely, adding that Boston has already made an aggressive offer to the third baseman. With Toronto out of the picture, the chances of Bregman returning to Fenway Park appear stronger than ever.
A reunion would mean more than just adding a proven bat to the lineup. For the Red Sox, bringing Bregman back would preserve the veteran leadership that helped stabilize the clubhouse last season. It would also give Boston a reliable presence at third base, ensuring continuity for a roster that has undergone significant change this winter.