Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman Reportedly Will Enter Free Agency

Now, the season is over for Boston and there is even more spotlight on Bregman's decision. On Tuesday night, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that Bregman will end up using the opt-out and heading to free agency.

"Alex Bregman will be opting out of his current Red Sox deal, sources say, and off his fine first year in Boston, there could be an extra suitor or two, potentially including at least one surprise team — although Boston still seems like a logical fit," Heyman said. "Bregman’s baseball-first attitude made sense for Boston. The Red Sox still have the $250M-plus saved from the Rafael Devers trade, and loved the veteran leadership of Bregman, the only player to play in the past eight Octobers."

This isn't the first time an MLB insider has said that Bregman is likely to utilize the opt-out. On Oct. 3rd, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that it was a "near certainty" that Bregman would enter free agency

"Bregman can opt out of the final two years and $80 million -- $40 million of which is deferred -- of the three-year, $120 million deal he signed with the Red Sox last February," Feinsand said. "According to a source, it’s a near certainty that Bregman will opt out and test free agency for a second straight year, this time without a qualifying offer attached to him."

This has been a common idea and it makes sense. Bregman is 31 years old and is coming off a phenomenal season overall. Right now, he has two years and $80 million left on his deal -- although some of that cash is deferred as Feinsand noted. Spotrac currently is projecting Bregman's market value to be just over $100 million across four seasons. It would be great to have him back in Boston. It's hard to argue against that idea. Whether or not he returns, heading to the open market at least is projected to be a better long-term business idea for Bregman than continuing on his current deal.