Tigers May Get Second Chance to Land Alex Bregman at the Deadline

The Tigers are circling back on a name they seriously considered this winter.

According to former MLB GM and current analyst Jim Bowden, Detroit is one of three teams keeping tabs on Alex Bregman as the trade deadline approaches. The Red Sox, who signed Bregman to a one-year deal in the offseason, are reportedly trying to extend him. But in his column for The Athletic, Bowden notes that talks “won’t be easy with Scott Boras as his agent.” And if Boston can’t lock him up, he says a trade to “Seattle, Detroit or Milwaukee” could be in play.

The Tigers showed interest in Bregman before he landed in Boston. He was on their offseason list, and he has history with A.J. Hinch. The two won a World Series together in Houston, and sources said at the time that Bregman viewed Detroit as a serious option before opting for a shorter deal to rebuild value.

Now, the situation could be swinging back in the Tigers’ direction—only this time under very different circumstances.

Detroit hasn’t made a major move yet, but third base remains a clear need. The Tigers have rotated players through the position all year, but they’ve struggled to find consistency. Bregman, even if he’s not at his 2019 level, would be a notable upgrade. He’s batting .257 with 12 home runs, 42 RBIs and a .764 OPS at the break. He’s also appeared in 90 of 95 games—offering both durability and experience down the stretch.

If the Red Sox shift into sell mode, Bowden expects them to target high-leverage bullpen help like Emmanuel Clase or Ryan Helsley. But if they can’t get an extension done, and Bregman becomes available, the Tigers are in a logical position to revisit a pursuit that nearly happened once already.

They’ve waited. They’ve held their chips. But if Bregman’s name hits the market, the Tigers may not wait long this time.