Right now, the Houston Astros fans are talking about Alex Bregman with uncertainty. Just a few months ago, even thinking that Bregman would go anywhere other than Houston was surprising—a fan favorite and a performer—but now, if he heads back through those doors, that will raise eyebrows, given Houston isn’t known to spend so much on free agents. So, $200 million seems too much to give for the 30-year-old player, and by the moves they have made this off-season, the team seems to have prepared for life without Bregman.

They traded for third baseman Isaac Paredes and got in Christian Walker; even if they want Alex Bregman, the Astros seem to be playing the game of chicken right now, both with Bregman and his agent Scott Boras. The infamous waiting game has been a Boras specialty, and this time, it might baclfire. Also, other teams are interested in Alex, from Detroit to the New York Mets. But Jon Heyman has a favorite—he sees the Astros star in the Boston Red Sox!

Is Alex Bregman the final piece on Boston’s roster?

This off-season, there has been a range of transactions. While on the one hand teams like the New York Mets spent $919 million, there are teams like the Twins, the Padres, the Mariners, and the Cardinals who haven’t spent anything in the agency. The Red Sox, too, have only spent $31.8 million on this free agency. However, Heyman still sees Boston as a landing spot for Bregman: “Boston is my favorite spot for Bregman, who will turn 31 in March. They need a right-handed power-pull hitter, and he would do significant damage to the Green Monster in left field.” 

“They could move Rafael Devers to first base and put Triston Casas at DH or they could just put Bregman at second base full-time,” Heyman further noted. Now, Bregman has been connected with the Mets too this off-season. Heyman mentioned that Bregman “would fit nicely at third base with the Mets, who could move Mark Vientos to first base. But there doesn’t seem to be much traction there.” As far as other teams, Heyman also mentioned that the Mariners could benefit from Bregman on the team, but they won’t spend money.

The Phillies ballpark would work well for Bregman, but they would need to trade Alec Bohm, and they don’t seem indicative of wanting that. So the Boston Red Sox seem to be the only spot. But of course, Boston needs to start being themselves and spend big. While Alex Bregman needs to find his next home soon, now it is likely that he would need to either take a pay cut of less than $159 or maybe even settle for lesser years in the contract.

Why Bregman in Boston Red Sox makes sense

The Boston Red Sox x Alex Bregman talks had stalled for a bit, but they’re back again in full rage. Wonder why? Well, the Red Sox signed Walker Buehler, and it got the possibility of Bregman signing with Boston back. The crux is that these two players are close friends and also business partners. Plus, Buehler also co-owns a racehorse with him. They have teamed up in March to buy a stake in March of Time, a colt that recently won the first race at Santa Anita this December.

Plus, Walker Buehler is just wanting this deal to happen and is pitching hard. “I’ve certainly made a pitch all over the place for him to come to Boston,” Buehler said in a press conference recently. However, thinking a horse can seal the deal is a little far-fetched. But Boston could only benefit by having Bregman on the team; he has head-turning numbers at Fenway Park. A career slash line of .375/.490/.750 and a 1.240 OPS over 21 appearances.

But Bregman’s ties to Boston don’t just stop with Buehler. The team’s manager, Alex Cora, coached Bregman during his time at the Houston Astros. But while the connections are strong for sure, the question remains—will the Red Sox front office spend a $200 million price tag? If they aren’t, then given he is a Scott Boras client, Bregman might be headed elsewhere.

Do you see Bregman in Boston? Let us know your thoughts.