Reports: Red Sox 3B Alex Bregman opts out of contract

Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman has opted out of his contract and will enter free agency, multiple outlets reported Monday.

Bregman, 31, passed on his $40 million player options for the 2026 and 2027 seasons and will try to land a lucrative, long-term deal. His Red Sox contract called for $20 million to be deferred in each option season.

Free agents can start signing with new teams after 5 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Bregman hit .273 with 18 homers and 62 RBIs in 114 games this season, his first in Boston. He earned his third selection to the American League All-Star team (2018 and 2019).

He played his first nine seasons with the Houston Astros from 2016-24, winning two World Series (2017 and 2022) and a Gold Glove award (2024).

Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox in February, choosing Boston over offers from the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs.

He is a career .272/.365/.481 hitter with 209 home runs, 293 doubles and 725 RBIs in 1,225 games. In the playoffs, he holds a .239 average and .791 OPS with 19 homers and 55 RBIs in 102 games.