Red Sox reportedly have preference for which veteran infielder to add
The Boston Red Sox are hot on the trail of two big-name veteran infielders. A new report gives a better idea of which player they’d prefer over the other.
John Denton at MLB.com has an intriguing nugget about the Red Sox and free agent Alex Bregman, who is reportedly holding out for a long-term deal among several potential suitors. According to Denton, Boston would ideally want to bring in Bregman over Nolan Arenado, who is becoming a hot trade candidate in Red Sox trade rumors.
“Boston would prefer to sign former Astros All-Star Alex Bregman [over trading for Arenado], but it is in a bidding war with at least two other teams for the services of the free-agent third baseman, per the source,” Denton wrote Thursday.
Denton also reported that the Red Sox and Cardinals “have again engaged in trade talks centered around Arenado.” ESPN’s Buster Olney meanwhile, recently said that Arenado is “highly, highly motivated” to go to Boston.
According to Denton, Arenado’s contract is a “sticking point” in a deal with not just the Red Sox, but any other team. The Cardinals have been reluctant to retain too much of the $64 million remaining on Arenado’s deal, but have recently “reengaged” with the Sox, Yankees, and Dodgers, per Denton.
That whole explanation is probably the reason that Boston’s preference is to simply sign Bregman off the open market. The front office can hammer out its own deal without having to take on another team’s bloated contract.
Either way, the Red Sox would be bringing in an experienced and versatile veteran with an All-Star pedigree. Bregman, especially, has the kind of experience that Boston could use in its clubhouse, as a two-time World Series champion with 99 career playoff games for the Houston Astros.
The hang-up for Bregman, however, has been the term on his next contract. According to Bob Nightengale, Bregman “has no interest in a short-term contract” and prefers a deal for six or seven years. But it sounds like the Astros’ latest upgraded offer to Bregman won’t get the deal done, per Ari Alexander.
So, if the Sox are willing to extend themselves to a deal for at least six years – and ostensibly, the term is also what’s holding them back – Bregman could very well sign. If he’s truly their preference, then they should be able to go the proverbial extra mile for him.
Matt Dolloff is a writer and digital content producer for 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read all of his articles here.
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